Pakistan should focus on Asia to promote trade and exports

Next century is the century of Asia and Pakistan should give priority focus on the huge markets of Asia for promoting trade and exports. 

This was stressed by Shaban Khalid, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry while addressing a two day international work on “Doing Business with China” at a local hotel.

Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry in collaboration with COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, FPCCI & Tsinghua University organized the workshop to facilitate increase in business between Pakistan and China.

Shaban Khalid said Pakistani entrepreneurs need to reorient their focus on West versus East and balance their approach based on the future potential and prospects for business in East. For too long, we have been focusing on West for trade, but keeping in view the emerging markets and huge business potential in Asia, we have to reassess our approach and focus to areas which are closer to us and are offering us immense scope for trade.

He said government should take urgent measures to address unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles, corruption, lack of good governance, energy and all other issues to facilitate promotion of investment and business activities. Such hurdles are holding back many potential foreign investors from investing in Pakistan despite good potential of high returns in our country. In this age of competition, time is money for any business and quick & easy facilitation measures are needed to attract more investment and promotion of business.

ICCI President termed Pak-China Economic Corridor a historic long-term project of cooperation between the two countries and hoped that its materialization will open up the underdeveloped areas of Pakistan to a new era of economic development and prosperity by connection both countries through a network of highways and railways.  It will also create plenty of business opportunities for the entrepreneurs of both countries.

He hoped that the workshop on “Doing Business with China” shall address and build on salient features of Pak-China bilateral cooperation to help investors and entrepreneurs to explore new business opportunities in both countries.

Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed, former Senator Mr. Akram and many other dignitaries also spoke on the occasion and highlighted the significance of growing Pak-China relations, which are beneficial not only for both countries but for the whole region.