Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) President Ahsan Zafar  Bakhtawari has stated that the public and private sectors must work together to identify new markets for Pakistani goods in order to enhance the country’s exports.

He said Pakistan is experiencing a severe economic crisis and asserted that export promotion is the only way to reverse the situation. He stated this while addressing a delegation of the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP)’s trainee officers, who visited the ICCI led by Deputy Director TDAP Dost Muhammad.

According to Ahsan, Pakistan has a significant opportunity to expand trade with China given that China's annual imports are more than two trillion dollars.  In order to increase trade between the two nations, he asked the TDAP to work with the ICCI to establish a China Desk at the chamber.

ICCI has created facilitation desks for ASEAN and African countries to assist the business community in developing trade and exports with these countries, he told the group, adding that ASEAN and African nations provided Pakistan with a strong potential for exports.

In order for the private sector to benefit from possible business and investment opportunities in international markets, he asked the TDAP to develop market analysis reports of other nations and share them with chambers of commerce. Additionally, he urged Pakistan's trade missions abroad to identify fresh markets in order to expand exports from Pakistan.

Ahsan said the TDAP should disseminate information on business prospects and encourage private industry involvement in trade shows and exhibits that might increase Pakistan's exports.

Deputy Director TDAP Dost Muhammad, stated that his organisation is making sincere efforts to assist the business community in business development through its effective participation in international exhibits and foreign delegations.

He said that in order to help stakeholders in the public and private sectors improve the nation's trade, TDAP is attempting to establish an effective interface with them.

ICCI Vice President Azhar ul Islam Zafar and Senior Vice President Faad Waeed briefed the delegation on the ICCI's role in addressing business community concerns and promoting businesses. They encouraged the government to promote ease of doing business and streamline the laws and regulations governing trade and exports.

They emphasised the need for enhancing information gathering and distribution regarding international markets and export requirements.

Credit : Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk