PESHAWAR: The Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industries asked the federal government to send more and more trade missions to African countries to enlarge the trade circle.
He said this while meeting with a delegation of African countries on Wednesday.
Speaking to the delegation, Zahidullah Shinwari, President of SCCI, added that the government not only needs to send more missions there but should also appoint commercial consuls with the target based tasks for enhancing trade with African countries.
Diplomats from Kenya, Morocco, Somalia, Mauritius and Sudan visited the Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industries and shared their views about the current situation and also agreed to the suggestion of the SCCI chief on the increase of trade volume.
Shinwari said the existing 13 joint ministerial commissions were insufficient to represent the country in Africa. He urged the TDAP Ministry of Commerce and Textile to take business-friendly measures by sponsoring trade delegations for African trade fairs and exhibitions for exploring the potential markets.
He added that the KP is capable of exporting pharmaceutical products, honey, furniture, fresh and dry fruits, safety matches, footwear, tobacco, carpets, marble, granite, hunting arms, precious and semi-precious stones, livestock, granite and chipboard besides promoting tourism.
The SCCI chief further said that there is a need to form Pak-Africa Joint Chamber of Commerce (PACCI) and Regional Chamber for exploration of opportunities and boosting trade.
The African delegation also offered cooperation for promotion of trade between Pakistan and Africa.
The forum was addressed by Prof Julius Kibet Bitok, High Commissioner of Kenya, Muhammad Karmoune, Ambassador of Kingdom of Morocco, Tageldin Elhadi Eltahir, Ambassador of Sudan, Khadija Mohamed Al-Makhzoumi, Ambassador of Somalia, along with other government officials and businessmen from both sides.
