ISLAMABAD: A large delegation of Vietnam led by Nguyen Xuan Luu, Ambassador of Vietnam to Pakistan and Hoang Duc Nhuan, Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam, visited the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry and held meetings with local businessmen to explore possibilities of business cooperation in areas of mutual interest. The delegation was representing textiles, electrical equipment, steel, home appliances, agro business, fruits and vegetables, beverages, fisheries, industrial machinery and auto parts etc.
Speaking at the occasion, Nguyen Xuan Luu, Ambassador of Vietnam said that Vietnam was keen to promote trade and economic ties with Pakistan. He said this was the second visit of a large business delegation of Vietnam to Pakistan as the first delegation had come here in February this year. It showed the high level of Vietnam’s interest to establish business collaborations with Pakistan. He hoped that interaction of Vietnamese entrepreneurs with Pakistani counterparts will help in establishing business matchmakings in potential areas and improve bilateral trade as well. He also congratulated Pakistani nation on celebrating its 69th Independence Day.
Hoang Duc Nhuan, Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam underscored the need to explore all opportunities for establishing business linkages between the private sectors of Pakistan and Vietnam as businessmen were the main stakeholders to foster bilateral trade and economic relations.
In his welcome address, Muzzamil Hussain Sabri, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that bilateral trade of USD 420 million between Pakistan and Vietnam was not up to the real potential and both countries should facilitate regular exchange of business delegations and participation of private sectors in each other’s trade fairs to explore new avenues of mutual cooperation.
He identified agriculture, pharmaceuticals, fisheries, textile, oil & gas and other sectors as potential areas of cooperation between Pakistan and Vietnam. He said the economy of Pakistan was showing positive trends and Government also offered attractive incentives to foreign investors. It was right time for Vietnamese investors to explore Pakistan for investment and joint ventures, especially in energy, IT, software industry, infrastructure development, agriculture, education, tourism and other areas of interest. M. Shakeel Munir, Senior Vice President ICCI in his vote of thanks hoped that the visit of Vietnamese delegation would help in identifying new areas of business relations between the two countries.
