ISLAMABAD: A 12-member delegation of Thai companies led by Ambassador of Thailand Suchart Liengsaengthong visited the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) and held meetings with ICCI members to seek business partnerships.
The delegation was comprised of representatives from some renowned companies of Thailand, including Giffarine Skyline Unity Company Limited, manufacturers of cosmetics, Fashion Food Company Limited, dealing in ready-made food and snacks, Srithai Superware Public Company Limited, dealing in melamine kitchenware, SCG Trading Company Limited, manufacturer of cement, construction and industrial materials and energy products and Bangkok Chain Hospital PCL.
Speaking on the occasion, Liengsaengthong said that the purpose of bringing Thai business delegation was to remove some misconceptions about Pakistan and to provide them first-hand knowledge about its business and economic potential. He said that Thai entrepreneurs were interested in doing some serious business with their Pakistani counterparts and they have brought samples of their products to introduce them in Pakistan.
He said Pakistan-Thailand current bilateral trade of $1 billion was not up to real potential of both countries. However, he said Pak-Thailand Free Trade Agreement would hopefully be signed during this year that would give boost to bilateral trade as it would reduce tariffs and address other trade barriers between the two countries. He stressed that ICCI should also take its delegation to Thailand as exchange of trade delegations was the best way to explore areas of mutual cooperation and to promote two-way trade.
In his welcome address, ICCI President AtifIkram Sheikh said that Thailand has the “Look West Policy” while Pakistan has the “Vision East Asia Policy” and both countries have good potential to complement each other in many areas. He said Pakistan could facilitate Thailand in promoting trade with South and Central Asian countries whereas Thailand could facilitate Pakistan in getting access to ASEAN region.
He said Pakistan has great potential for Thai entrepreneurs, especially for ready-made food and snacks, cosmetics, kitchen wares, cement, construction and in many other fields as it was a huge consumer market. He said Thai businessmen should explore investment opportunities in various sectors of Pakistan’s economy including CPEC projects, food processing, agriculture, textiles, engineering & electronics, construction, pharmaceutical gems & jewellery etc. He assured that ICCI would fully cooperate with Thai entrepreneurs for seeking business partnerships and making investment in Pakistan.
