RAWALPINDI: Trade Adviser Razzaq Dawood has reiterated the government’s resolve to strengthen trade and investment relations among ECO member countries.
Addressing the Virtual International Trade Forum (ECO chapter), organized by the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) here on Thursday, the advisor informed that he would visit Afghanistan soon, probably next month to remove obstacles in bilateral trade and transit trade.
He also informed the participants that the Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan is visiting Pakistan next month, September 7. During the visit Uzbekistan will sign an agreement for direct cargo flight from Sialkot Airport.
We are also working on introducing transshipment policy for ECO countries, he added. The recommendations of the Chamber of Commerce will be given priority for shipment policy. Our exports of fruits and vegetables have reached 750 million dollar which is a significant achievement.
RCCI President in his welcome remarks said that the purpose of the trade forum was to make the business community aware of trade and export opportunities in ECO markets.
Giving details, Chamber President Saboor Malik said that Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) was formed in 1985, has a unique geo-strategic location, linking the East and the West.
This region with its significant economic power, vast natural resources, and dynamic work force, has a huge development potential which need exploration in the better interest of all member nations, said Saboor Malik.
He said that an increase in trade in food, textile and pharmaceutical sectors could be made possible. He said that in order to increase Pakistani exports to ECO member countries, new trade avenues would have to be explored.
Joint Secretary commerce Maria Qazi, Trade and investment counselors from Turkey, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Iran, along with Former ambassador to Afghanistan Syed Abrar Hussain and Chairman Pak-Afghan Joint Chamber of Commerce Zubair Motiwala who attended the forum discussed issues including banking channels, road and railway networks, trackers, and tariff barriers in export and trade promotions.
Group leader Sohail Altaf, Senior Vice President Nosherwan Khalil Khan, Vice President Hamza Sarosh, Chairman Trade Forum Khurshid Berlas, among others also attended the forum.
