LAHORE: The Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) on Thursday said that traders should introduce new products to grab more international markets, besides exploring the untapped regions to increase the exports.
While talking to the representatives of export-oriented industries, LCCI President Ijaz A. Mumtaz said that at present when a number of Asian countries have crossed $100 billion mark as far as exports are concerned, Pakistan must rethink its strategy.
The LCCI President said that Pakistan would have to focus its attention to the untapped regions like Africa that is destined to become an attractive place for having enormous potential.
“Role of Commercial Sections of the Pakistani Embassies abroad should be more meaningful and they should look at every nook and corner to find new destinations for the Pakistani merchandise”, Ijaz A. Mumtaz added.
The LCCI President said that Pakistan should not lose any opportunity to tap African market wherein India had already made a great penetration. “It is not only the gold, diamonds and oil reserves that are a great attraction but a number of other untapped sectors including education and tourism provide a solid reason to Pakistani businessmen to increase their interaction with their African counterparts.”
He said that Pakistani diplomats working in the outer world need to reset their priorities as foreign diplomats in Pakistan remain stick to trade and commerce and presence of large number of African Ambassadors and High Commissioners in today’s event arranged by the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry is an ample proof of their commitment to their respective countries.
Ijaz A. Mumtaz said that African great Leader President Nelson Mandela was an amazing leader because of his dedication and inspiration. He encouraged the actions of others, and motivated others towards acceptance of people that are different.
He said that Africa is a potential market for Pakistani rice while African can supply us leather, fertilizers, cotton, textile products and agricultural products which Pakistan does not produce. He said that exchange of students, doctors, teachers and scholars should take place on regular basis.
The LCCI President said that visa policies should be relaxed for each other to overcome unnecessary bottlenecks.
He said that Africa is the world’s second-largest and second-most-populous continent. At about 30.2 million km including adjacent islands, it covers six percent of the Earth’s total surface area and 20.4 percent of the total land area. With one billion people accounting for about 15 percent of the world’s human population. Therefore Africa is a market of 1 billion people whom we can cater to. He said also called for direct flights from Pakistan to African countries.
The LCCI President said that Pakistani fruits, agri-based products, pharmaceuticals, sports good, hospital equipment, surgical goods and stones & gems can be good source of bilateral business.
