ISLAMABAD – Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) has takeninitiative to promote Pakistan’s trade potential through exhibitions andvisits of delegations of businessmen around the world.
This was stated by President RCCI Zahid Latif Khan while briefing media onthe eve of second Pakistan- Belgium Business and Investment Conference, inBrussels on Thursday. Secretary General RCCI Irfan Manan Khan and KhurshidBarlas flanked him during the briefing.
According to a message received here from Brussels, Khan said that RCCIbeing the oldest chamber of commerce in the country has geared up itsefforts by arranging visits of delegations of Pakistani businessmen tovarious parts of world for exploring opportunities of enhancing trade andinvestments.
This year, he said, various business delegations have visited UK, Qatar,Azerbaijan, Romania and Belgium under the auspices of RCCI, adding that thechamber had been organizing Rawal Exhibition for years which has now becomean international event participated by traders from around the globe.
Khan informed that during the last visit to Belgium on the occasion ofFirst Business and Investment Conference in May, some ground breaking workwas materialized in the form of signing of memorandum of understandingbetween RCCI and Brussels Enterprise for Commerce and Industry (BECI) andalso getting connected to importers of Halal meat from Pakistan, a sectorthat remained un attended till now due to lack of awareness about marketsand some technical deficiencies, he added.
Referring to exports of edible products, Khan informed that adopting moderntechnology was important in processing of food to maintain shelf life andquality adding that businessmen in Pakistan were gradually becoming awareof these aspects.
He further said improvement in law and order situation and supply ofelectricity have been helpful in easing situation for trade.
He also referred to huge potential of exports of Pakistani sports goods ofoutstanding quality. The use of Pakistan made football in FIFA tournamentsendorsed this recognition, Khan said.
Pakistan has not only huge untapped potential of exports but at the sametime it’s growing market with population of more than 200 million, offeredexcellent opportunities for bilateral trade, Khan informed.
In addition to this, he said, China Pakistan Economic Corridor also offeredgreat opportunities for investment and cooperation in energy sector inPakistan particularly for European technology thus opening up venues ofbilateral trade between Pakistan and European countries.
The Second Pakistan-Belgium Business and Investment Conference beingorganized by RCCI and BECI and facilitated by Embassy of Pakistan, willfocus on the technical aspects for trade and investment between the twocountries.
Around 30 members of RCCI representing different business sectors havearrived in Brussels for the conference. President RCCI appreciated the roleof Embassy of Pakistan in Brussels for facilitating the visits and makingarrangements for the conference, the press release added. – APP