KARACHI, Feb 10 (APP):Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi
on Monday invited the business community to become partners in the
country’s economic diplomacy as the world states were focused more on
markets keeping in view their economic interests.
“Throughout the world, the success of foreign diplomatic policy
increasingly depends on vibrant economic diplomacy, and this is not
possible without your support and partnership. There is need to create
strong economic linkages with the world,” he said during an
interactive session with the members of Federation of Pakistan
Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) here at the Federation House.
He said the FPCCI, being the apex trade body and having links with
trade bodies around the world and international economic forums, could
play a very important role in establishing Pakistan’s economic links
with other countries.
To the proposal by FPCCI President Mian Anjum Nisar, the foreign
minister announced to form a working group comprising three or four
senior PFCCI members and equal number of senior officers from the
Foreign Ministry to help resolve the issues and streamline the things
linked to economic diplomacy.
He assured them that Prime Minister Imran Khan and his team was fully
alive of the grievances/issues being faced by the trade and industry
in the country. The government was making all-out efforts for
industrial growth and to boost exports. The economic stability and
high economic growth was its top priority, which would create jobs and
address unemployment and poverty. It could only be possible with the
business community’s support and cooperation.
Qureshi urged the business community to make more investment in the
country as it would be win-win position not only for the government
but also for them.
“You are the engine of economic growth and we are ready to extend all
possible support to you,” he reaffirmed.
As a part of its initiatives for strong economic diplomacy, he said,
the government had revamped and strengthened Pakistan’s missions
abroad, which included replacement of commercial counselors with
well-trained and competent trade and investment officers. The
commercial counselors had also been relocated to other countries where
they could better work for bringing more trade and investment in the
country.
Contrary to the past, he said, the diplomatic missions now had been
given clear targets of increasing trade and investment. Only those
diplomats would continue on their foreign postings who would give
better economic results.
He agreed to to FPCCI leadership that the country needed
aggressive diplomacy, especially economic one to properly market its
products and the investment potential in the world.
The foreign minister said he had advised Pakistan’s missions to
extend all support, care and respect to the visiting business
community, and share maximum information on trade and investment for
better promotion of trade and bring foreign investment in the country.
That, they should also respect and take care of Pakistani workers
earning money for the country.
“Overseas Pakistanis are the Mohsin-e-Pakistan. We must respect
them,” he remarked.
Qureshi supported the FPCCI leaders’ demand that research and
innovative/scientific steps were needed to strengthen the country’s
agriculture sector to get high yield and have agri surplus for the
export as it had big potential.
For the purpose, he said, the government was going to enter an
agreement with the Chinese government on agriculture research.
The minister said Pakistan would benefit a lot from the recently
signed second free trade agreement (FTA-II) with China.
“China wants to relocate major industry and Pakistan could attract
the Chinese investment,” he added.
He emphasized the need for diversification, value-addition and
exploring new markets in the world, especially in Africa which one
billion population and 500 billion dollars market. At present, he
regretted, Pakistan had only dollars 1.5 billon trade with 54 states
of Africa. There was also a big market for Pakistan’s light
engineering goods.
“We are opening new missions in African states,” he said, adding
recently a big trade expo was successfully held in Nairobi, Kenya
which had huge participation from many African countries.
The foreign minister said after its dismemberment from the European
Union, the United Kingdom was keen to promote economic cooperation and
partnership with Pakistan as it needed new linkages.
He said in pursuance of its agenda to control un-employment and earn
more forex, the government had negotiated with the Qatar government to
export 100,000 skilled Pakistani labour. Pakistan had also offered
supply of labour and services to Qatar, which needed to construct
facilities/ infrastructure to hold the upcoming World Cup games.
VNS Islamabad
App/ desk
