SIALKOT: The High Commissioner of Canada in Pakistan Perry John Calderwood has stressed the need of making some direly needed stepped up steps for developing and boosting the mutual trade and investment between Pakistan and Canada.
He stated this while addressing an important meeting of Sialkot exporters held at Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) held here today, after visiting several industrial leading industrial units in Sialkot here. Acting SCCI President Abdul Waheed presided over the meeting.
Candaian High Commissioner said that there was a huge potential and scope to promote bilateral trade between Pakistan and Canada, saying that the Cananda was also making all out sincere efforts to establishing strong Business-to-Business contacts and People-to-People linkages between Pakistan and Canada.
Perry John Calderwood said that strengthening mutual trade ties between Pakistan and Canada was the need and demand of the day, as the Canada was also intending to increase its mutual trade volume in favour of Pakistan as well. He said that there was a huge potential and scope to increase the mutual trade volume from US $ 1 Billion to at least US$ 3 Billion between Pakistan and Canada, saying that now both Pakistan and Canada should make some stepped up and concrete measures to develop its mutual trade opportunities and increase the trade and investment especially in Pakistan.
Canadian High Commissioner said ” the several Canadian based multinational companies have invested billions of dollars in Pakistan, in various sectors including solar energy and information technology”.
Canadian High Commissioner also urged the Sialkot exporters to tap and explore the untapped international trade, business and investment markets of Canada, saying that the Canada will ensure the easy access of the Sialkot exporters to the international trade markets of Canada.
While presenting addressing of welcome , the Acting SCCI President Abdul Waheed said that both Canada and Pakistan have enjoyed most cordial relations.
“Canada’s expertise in industrial & economic sectors and human welfare index is among the best and we wish to benefit from Canada’s capabilities and skills in fields of capacity building of export and manufacturing sectors and transfer of technology and knowledge base to the SMEs”, Acting SCCI President added.
Acting SCCI President Abdul Waheed revealed that it was encouraging that both countries have stepped up efforts to increase bilateral trade and investment.
He added that total trade volume between Pakistan and Canada was around USD 1 (B) with balance of trade in favour of Canada. He said that the Canada should encourage the mutual exchange of trade delegations and single country exhibitions of Pakistani products in Canada.
Canadian High Commissioner also assured to pursue for investments and joint ventures in the value added industries of Sialkot which would be beneficial for both sides.
” We firmly believe that with Canadian Technology and Pakistani Craftsmanship, we could do wonders in the International markets”, said SCCI Vice President Abid Ahmed Khawaja.
The Sialkot city has developed SME culture highly conducive to business collaborations and joint ventures in various industries in Sialkot. The exporters are well versed with rules, regulations and requirements of International trade, which has resulted in exports from Sialkot, being over USD 2.0 (B) annually, he added.
Earlier, the Canadian High Commissioner Mr.Perry John Calderwood visited several leading industrial units in Sialkot. He said that he was much impressed to see the manufacturing and production processes of the sports goods and surgical instruments there. “The international standard crafstmanship of Sialkot based artisans has impressed me a lot”, he added.
