LAHORE: Ambassador of Tajikistan Jononov Sherali Monday called for aggressive approach to explore Tajikistan market that has a lot to offer Pakistani businessmen.
He was talking to the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) President Sheikh Muhammad Arshad and Vice President Nasir Saeed. LCCI Executive Committee Members Mian Zahid Javed and Zahid Maqsood Butt were also present on the occasion.
Tajik Ambassador invited the Pakistani businessmen to explore trade and investment opportunities available in Tajikistan. He said that tax exemptions are being offered to the foreign investors in Free Economic Zones of Tajikistan. He said that two to five years of tax holiday is being offered to the potential investors keeping in view their level of investment.
To a question about CASA – 1000, Tajik Ambassador said that all legal formalities have been completed and construction would be started next year.
Tajik Ambassador said that Tajikistan wants to strengthen bilateral trade and economic ties with Pakistan.
He said that Pakistan’s economic indicators are improving and expressed keen interest in importing sports and surgical goods from Pakistan.
The Ambassador said that a number of Pakistani companies belonging to pharmaceutical, agriculture and livestock sectors are doing good business.
He said that bilateral trade between the two countries could be flourished through exchange of trade delegations and holding of single country exhibitions.
He said that China and Iran are used to hold single country exhibitions in Tajikistan therefore, the Lahore Chamber of Commerce should take lead in this regard.
He said that he was ready to arrange B-2-B meetings of Pakistani businessmen in Tajikistan provided the LCCI arranges a delegation.
He said that the embassy of Tajikistan in Islamabad would continue to facilitate Pakistani businessmen in getting visa on priority basis.
Speaking on the occasion, the LCCI President Sheikh Muhammad Arshad said both Pakistan and Tajikistan have good diplomatic relations and enjoy historical bonds of brotherhood but these ties are hardly reflected in two way trade.
He said that the ECO countries are well placed in terms of their economic potential and can become a major hub of trade and energy. Therefore, this regional grouping of ECO needs to be activated on the lines of EU and ASEAN.
The LCCI President said that it was very unfortunate Pakistan does not figure prominently among the trading partners of Tajikistan. The major reasons are lack of transportation facilities and absence of developed banking system in Tajikistan.
Sheikh Muhammad Arshad said that the ground realities favour trading of such products which are light in weight and costly in terms of value. Since the businessmen choose to get their shipments airlifted because of difficult and risky land routes, so, we need to identify more such items like sports goods, technical/medical apparatus, tobacco and precious stones etc.
The LCCI Vice President Nasir Saeed said that keeping in view the security concerns in Afghanistan, the businessmen have to consider other options like trading via Turkey or Russia. But these routes take away the competitive advantage of trade which compels them to look for other viable destinations.
Nasir Saeed said that a greater interaction between the Chambers of Commerce of the two countries, exchange of trade delegations, holding of single country exhibitions can increase the volume of our bilateral trade.
He said that Pakistan can also serve as an energy and trade corridor for Tajikistan through Gwadar Deep Seaport connected with Central Asian States and China with a network of roads. We at LCCI are ready to collaborate with Tajik business community in order to support any initiative taken to develop the bilateral trade ties.