AsiaNet-Pakistan Premier Editorial Content and Press Release Distribution Service
Karachi, March 18, 2015 (PPI-OT): Ambassador of Tajikistan, Sher Ali S. Jononov has asked the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) to organize visit of a trade delegation to Tajikistan in order to explore trade and investment opportunities with a view to improve the existing trade volume between Pakistan and Tajikistan.
Exchanging views with KCCI Office Bearers and Managing Committee members during his visit to Karachi Chamber on Wednesday, Tajik Ambassador underscored the need to enhance people-to-people and business-to-business interaction between Pakistan and Tajikistan which was the only way forward towards improving trade ties while there was a huge demand for Pakistani products, particularly mangoes in Tajik markets.
Honorary Consul General of Tajikistan in Karachi, Irshad Ali S. Kassim, Consul/ Protocol of Embassy of Republic of Tajikistan, Marufjon Abdurahmonov, President KCCI, Iftikhar Ahmed Vohra, Senior Vice President KCCI, Muhammad Ibrahim Kasumbi and KCCI Managing Committee members were also present at the meeting.
Tajik Ambassador said that President of Tajikistan was keen to develop trade, investment and business ties with Pakistan. Thus, efforts were being made to enhance bilateral trade and bring the business communities of the two countries closer.
Emphasizing the need to effectively promote Pakistani products and services in Tajikistan, he said that every year around four to five exhibitions were being organized in Tajikistan by various countries including Iran, China, Turkey and India but unfortunately no such event was being staged by Pakistan.
“Last such activity to promote Pakistani products in Tajikistan took place in 2004 and to be honest with you, Pakistan is too late, it needs to be more active. We are ready to extend every possible assistance from the Tajik Embassy”, he added.
Earlier, while welcoming the Tajik Ambassador, President KCCI Iftikhar Ahmed Vohra stressed the need to enhance interaction by frequently exchanging business delegations from Pakistan and Tajikistan in order to look for business and investment opportunities. He said, “Karachi Chamber is keen to strengthen trade ties and exploring new bilateral trade prospects with Tajikistan as we believe that ‘Pakistan desperately needs to enhance trade’.”
President KCCI also expressed satisfaction over signing of an agreement on Central Asia-South Asia (CASA-1000) between Pakistan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan and Afghanistan. The energy project known as the Central Asia South Asia Electricity Transmission and Trade Project (CASA-1000) will help export 1000MW of energy to Pakistan which would help in dealing with ongoing energy crisis to a certain extent.
Speaking on the occasion, Senior Vice President KCCI invited the Embassy of Tajikistan to participate in Karachi Chamber’s forthcoming 12th My Karachi – Oasis of Harmony which is scheduled to be staged at the Karachi Expo Center on April 10th, 11th and 12th, 2015. This three-day long event is regularly being organized since 2004 which is likely to attract around 1 million visitors this year. My Karachi will provide an excellent opportunity to promote what was being produced in Tajikistan, he added.
For more information, contact:
Aamir Hassan
Director Press/Electronic Media and Public Relations
Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI)
Aiwan-e-Tijarat Road, Off Shahrah-e-Liaquat,
Karachi-74000
Phone: +92-21-99218001-09
Fax: +92-21-99218040
Email: info@kcci.com.pk, secretary@kcci.com.pk
Website: www.kcci.com.pk