ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Ambassador-Designate to Maldives, Vice Admiral (R) Faisal Lodhi, has reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation with Maldives across all areas.
According to a press release on Wednesday, the diplomat during his visit to the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry held talks with President Nasir Mansoor Qureshi and also acknowledged the massive need for showcasing Pakistan’s trade and tourism potential to captivate the business community of Maldives.
Lodhi added direct flights between the two nations are crucial for boosting two-way imports and exports, as well as promoting people-to-people and business-to-business links.
He added that by exploring opportunities in tourism, trade, and education, Pakistan and Maldives can enhance their relationship and promote economic growth. He also underscored the need for the constitution of a Joint Ministerial Commission to foster multifaceted ties between the two states.
The Ambassador-designate admitted the vital role of the business community of Pakistan in the growth and development of multidimensional relations between the countries by saying that ICCI can play an important role in enhancing the volumes of bilateral trade in construction materials, pharmaceuticals, textiles and food items, among others.
Nasir Mansoor Qureshi, President, the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, highlighted that Pakistan, being the world’s 5th most populous country with over 220 million people, offers vast opportunities for service provision across multiple industries.
He said that partnership between the government and private sector can help address challenges, improve infrastructure, and increase competitiveness in the international market and that leather goods, cutlery, sports items, surgical instruments, and cottage industry pieces hold immense potential for growth and can greatly contribute to country’s economy.
President Qureshi added that ICCI is ready to host trade delegations from Maldives to Pakistan in order to facilitate the Maldivian importers.
He expressed the hope that bilateral trade between the two brotherly states will scale up and reach new heights through capitalizing on unconventional sectors and exploration of new avenues.
ICCI members Naeem Siddiqui, Khalid Chaudhry and Secretary General Ghulam Murtaza also attended the meeting.
