RAWALPINDI: USAID will assist Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) for promoting exports to Afghanistan and Central Asian Republics (CARs) under an agreement signed.
The agreement was signed here by the USAID-Pakistan Regional Cooperation Economic Integration Activity (PREIA) head Donal Cotter and RCCI President Mian Humayum Pervez.
Appreciating the role of USAID for promotion of numerous sectors in Pakistan, Mian Humayun said the signing of trade promotion document would go a long way in facilitating Pakistani entrepreneurs to boost their exports to Afghanistan and the Central Asian States.
“If we are able to overcome trade barriers with these economies and are well versed with the existing opportunities, we can enhance the level of trade to a great extent,” he said.
He pointed out that at present the country’s exports to Afghanistan and Central Asian Republics was not more than 5 % of the total exports. There existed huge scope to increase exports as there was great demand for Pakistani products.
Under the agreement, he said, the RCCI would jointly organize training sessions of local businessmen on how business opportunities with regional nations can be materialized. Through these sessions the trade associations, logistic companies, business associations, public sector organizations and regional counterparts would be able to gain knowledge on ways to proceed for business activities at the regional level, he added.
Later talking to APP, the RCCI President highlighted the need for a goods quality assurance body which would ensure that products being exported completely match with importers’ need.
“For the purpose, the public sector organizations may come forward and suggest remedial measures so that no sub-standard product is exported,” he said.
“If done so, it will not only help earn a good name for our country but also help boost the exports,” he said Director General Trade Development Authority (Ministry of Commerce) Robina Tofiq, in her remarks, welcomed the agreement and expressed the hope that both stakeholders would follow the set principles for promoting trade.
She offered assistances for promotion of trade between Pakistan, Afghanistan and the Central Asian States.
The signing ceremony was witnessed by traders, businessmen and RCCI office-bearers.
