RAWALPINDI: The Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) in collaboration with Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce (GBCCI) organized PAK – UK business opportunity conference at Hyatt Regency Birmingham.
The conference was attended by high-level representatives from the British government including Nigel OBE, Queen’s representative in the West Midlands, John Crabtree OBE, Nasir Awan Deputy Lieutenant of the West Midlands, Chief Operating Officer GBCC Russell Jeans, David Fisken Manager Exports West Midlands, Ian Harrison Head of International Trade, Keith Smith Stoke, President Greater Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce (GCCI), RCCI Vice Chairman Regional Trade Khurshid Berlas, office bearers of chambers of commerce and industry and leading businessmen from Pakistan.
Consul General Ahmar Ismail highlighted the huge potential of trade and investment between Pakistan and UK. He assured the visiting delegates of Consulate’s support to promote bilateral commercial relations. He expressed hope to maintain the momentum for enhanced commercial relations between the two countries, including working towards meeting the target of $4 billion.
He underlined the need to make such business events result oriented so that tangible outcome could be achieved. Consul General Ahmar Ismail also appreciated RCCI efforts and its role for promoting trade ties and providing opportunities for business to business contacts.
RCCI President Malik Shahid Saleem in his address said that major aim of this conference was to attract foreign direct investment (FDI), presenting soft image of Pakistan and to increase interaction with business community in UK. He said that the economy of Pakistan is improving; the country is emerging as a good investment destination and we want to increase trade ties with the UK and all other Commonwealth countries. The President RCCI also informed the participants about the positive policies of the government, including tax holidays and the opportunities appearing from the CPEC.
He pointed out that various areas still remain un tapped and there was a need to work in the direction to identify how the two countries could benefit by exploring the key sectors including Gems and Jewelry, Pharmaceutical and Tourism.
He said that RCCI being the third largest chamber in Pakistan has become voice of Pakistani business community all over the world. We invited Greater Birmingham and Greater Commonwealth chamber of commerce to hold similar business conferences and business to business meetings (B2B) on reciprocal basis, he added.
