ISLAMABAD: A delegation of foreign diplomats from various countries visited the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI), Capital Office in Islamabad.
The delegation, supervised by the Foreign Services Academy of Pakistan, met with the FPCCI delegation led by President Irfan Iqbal Sheikh.
The foreign diplomat’s delegation includes Tural Hasanov, Second Secretary Azarbaijan, Md. Ziaur Rahman, Senior Asstt. Secretary Bangladesh, Svetoslav Ivaylov Lalov, Chief Export Bulgaria, Abel Perez Garcia, Desk Officer Cuba, Maciu Babiau Tubanavau Ratumiaimuri, Protocol Officer Fiji, Zemran Shamlal, Foreign Service Officer Guyana, Kisura Matogmah Haroon, Assistant Director Ghana, Younoussa Tirmakan Traore, Deputy Director Mali, Mohammed Salim Al Uwaisi, Third Secretary Oman, Jean Claude Rukundo, Senior Officer Rwanda, Madhuka Harshani Silva, Director Siri Lanka, Ismael Haider Alansari, Third Secretary Syrian Arab Republic, Hasan Civelek Engelkiran, Third Secretary Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
President FPCCI Irfan Iqbal Sheikh emphasized the importance of focusing on economic and trade diplomacy to boost the country’s exports. He highlighted Information Technology as another crucial area for enhanced cooperation, urging diplomats to work towards attracting more investments in Pakistan’s energy sector, particularly in wind power. Sheikh also identified great potential for cooperation in agriculture, food security, and human resource development, urging diplomats to facilitate trade and commercial relations and explore the Pakistani market.
FPCCI Asks Diplomats to Boost Pakistani Exports Globally
Amin Ullah Baig, Vice President of FPCCI & Incharge Capital Office, expressed surprise at the low volume of trade despite substantial friendly relations. He proposed collaborative activities between FPCCI and diplomats to introduce more Pakistani products globally, emphasizing the need for a mechanism to promote cooperation in various fields of common interest. Baig also stressed the importance of efficient business visa issuance and suggested organizing seminars and exhibitions to raise awareness about each other’s products.
Umar Masood ur Rehman informed the foreign delegates about Pakistan’s major export commodities, including textiles, clothing, apparel, rice, leather goods, and surgical instruments.
He highlighted the interconnection between business and diplomatic affairs, emphasizing the significance of strong and influential Economic Diplomacy for economic growth. Rehman discussed the challenges faced by Pakistani exporters, including non-tariff barriers within the region and in other countries.
The diplomats agreed to organize and exchange trade and investment missions to further enhance bilateral trade and investments.
They engaged in deep discussions about trade and economic ties between Pakistan and their respective countries, expressing keen interest in various sectors.
The diplomats pledged to motivate their importers to prefer direct imports from Pakistan over other countries and assured efforts to facilitate easy access to exported Pakistani products in their countries.
