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Islamabad, June 24, 2013 (PPI-OT): Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry organized a grand ceremony to bid farewell to H.E. Mishi Masika Mwatsahu, outgoing High Commissioner of Kenya. Ambassador of Algeria H.E. Dr. Ahmad Benflis, Ambassador of Tunisia H.E. Mr. Murad Bourehla, Ambassador of Sudan H.E. Mr. Al-Shafie Ahmad Mohamed, Ambassador of Morocco H.E. Mr. Mustapha Salahodine, High Commissioner of Mauritius H.E. Mr. M-R Daureawo, Charge’ D Affairs of Somalia Mr. Ali Sheikh Abdullahi, Deputy Head of Mission of Egypt Mr. Sherif Nada, Director General Foreign Affairs Dr. Muhammad Tariq and large number of business community was present at the occasion.
Speaking at the occasion, H.E. Mishi Masika Mwatsahu, High Commissioner of Kenya said she served in Pakistan for 8 years and is taking away lots of love and good memories from Pakistan. She said she has great love for Pakistan and on returning back to Kenya, she would apprise the Kenyan and African people about the true potential of Pakistan.
High Commissioner of Kenya said Pakistan and Kenya have lot of opportunities to benefit from each other. She said bilateral trade between the two countries has been growing, but still lot more needs to be done to improve trade and economic relations.
She said due to huge market, major powers are now focusing on Africa and it is high time that Pakistan should turn to Africa for trade and exports while Kenya would provide Pakistan easy access to African market.
She highlighted agriculture, tourism, transportation, manufacturing, telecommunication, energy including oil, gas, coal, mineral resources and construction as potential areas of mutual cooperation between Pakistan and Kenya.
She said lots of construction projects are going on in Kenya for infrastructure development and invited Pakistani investors to come and invest in Kenya. She thanked ICCI President, Director General (Foreign Affairs) and other dignitaries for their support and hoped that ICCI would continue to cooperate with her successor to promote Pak-Kenya bilateral relations.
In his welcome address, Zafar Bakhtawari, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry greatly appreciated the efforts of H.E. Mishi Masika Mwatsahu, High Commissioner of Kenya for improving Pak-Kenya relations during her tenure. He termed her as a dynamic and sincere diplomat who played a positive role in bringing two countries closer to know each other.
He said Pakistan and Kenya enjoy historical cordial relations and share similar views on most international issues. However, these good relations are yet to be translated into thriving trade and economic relations as Pak-Kenya bilateral trade of around half a million US dollars is not up to their full potential.
He said Pakistan is keen to get access to Africa while Kenya is a gateway to enter Africa. He said that both countries should increase exchange of business delegations and hold single country exhibitions to expand bilateral trade and exports.
Dr. Muhammad Tariq, Director General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs paid tribute to the services of H.E. Mishi Masaki Mwatsahu, High Commissioner of Kenya. He assured that Ministry of Foreign Affairs would facilitate Kenyan Embassy and ICCI for promoting direct contacts between the private sectors of both countries. Mr. Mahmood Ahmad Warraich, Senior Vice President ICCI in his vote of thanks emphasized for more interactions of Kenyan Embassy with ICCI for exploring new areas of common cooperation.
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