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Islamabad, October 21, 2012 (PPI-OT): Ambassador of Greece to Pakistan H.E.Mr.Petros Mavroidis visited Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) for congratulating Mr.Zafar Bakhtawari on his appointment as President of ICCI.
Grecian Ambassador said that Pakistan and Greece need to improve their commercial and economic relations to promote bilateral trade and investment by taking advantage of new business opportunities.
He said that olive oil is one of the major and well-known products of Greece and is known to be the finest in the world. H.E.Mr.Petros Mavroidis said that cooperation in solar energy sector could be one of the areas for strengthening economic relations between the two countries as current annual bilateral trade between Greece and Pakistan was very low which is around $500million that needs to be enhanced by exploring the areas of common interest.
In his welcome address, Mr.Zafar Bakhtawari, President ICCI said that Greece has great importance for Pakistan as around 30,000 Pakistanis were working there and contributing in the development of Grecian economy but also giving blood to the Pakistan economy in form of remittances. He also expressed hope that Greece would soon be recovered from economic recession.
He said that this is the right time to focus on non-traditional markets, adding that frequent exchange of business delegations and establishing direct B2B contacts are the options, which should be used to exploit untapped bilateral trade and investment potential in both countries. Mr.Bakhtawari informed that ICCI is arranging exchange of business delegations with different countries while in near future ICCI would also plan to take a business delegation to Greece.
ICCI President was of the view that investment cooperation was another area in which both countries could collaborate for mutual benefits. Information technology, telecommunication, construction, automobile parts, food processing, fisheries, agriculture, hotel industry and real estate offer tremendous opportunities and potential for cooperation, he added.
He said that organizing of joint cultural shows and frequent exchange of business delegations are the options which can bring people of both the countries closer to each other that would eventually enhance the mutual cooperation between Pakistan and Greece.
Mr.Bakhtawari said that Alexander the Great was the first cultural integrator between the Asia and Europe and Pakistani nation still consider Alexander as Hero. He further said that ICCI, CDA and Greece Embassy in Islamabad would jointly organize a seminar to highlight the contribution of Greece for beautiful city of Islamabad.
For more information, contact:
Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Chamber House, Aiwan-e-Sanat-o-Tijarat Road,
Mauve Area, G-8/1,
Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +9251 225 0526 and 225 3145
Fax: +9251 225 2950
Email: icci@brain.net.pk
Website: www.icci.com.pk