Promotion of bilateral trade relations with Qatar emphasized by Engr. Daroo Khan President FPCCI at Project Qatar Exhibition

Promotion of bilateral trade relations with Qatar emphasized by Engr. Daroo Khan President FPCCI at Project Qatar Exhibition

Karachi, May 03, 2019: Pakistan and Qatar are enjoying close and brotherly relations based on the common faith, religion and culture, this was stated by Engr. Daroo Khan Achakzai, President of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) while addressing the inauguration session of Exhibition namely Project Qatar organized by prominent event Management M/s Happilac.

Engr. Daroo Khan Achakzai also emphasized on the need of intensifying interaction between the private sector of Pakistan and Qatar for exploring new avenues and vistas of promotion of trade and investment and also holding of single country exhibition in Qatar. He further stated that Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) of Pakistan is one of the area that can help penetrate Qatar market. The economic and political relationship between Pakistan and Qatar is expanding with the passage of time as Pakistan is one of the major importer of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) from Qatar which will help in reducing the energy shortage in Pakistan.

While highlighting the trade relations, he stated that the bilateral trade between Pakistan and Qatar stood at US$ 2.48 billion but still far below their actual scope and potential. Pakistan’s exports to Qatar stood at US$ 102.20 million and imports from Qatar stood at US$ 2.38 billion. He indicated that there is potential available in Pakistan to increase exports of rice, textile, edible fruits and vegetables, footwear, surgical instruments etc. to Qatar.

As the construction related activities are expanding in Qatar, and Pakistan has potentials to fulfill the need of skilled and unskilled labour force of Qatar. He also stated that Pakistan and Qatar both are the members of OIC blocs; can work on the promotion of halal sector as OIC Halal Accreditation Center has been decided to establish in Qatar.

During the visit, the President FPCCI also called on Syed Ahsan Raza Shah, Ambassador of Pakistan at Doha and exchanged views on promotion of bilateral trade relations and investment opportunities particularly in the back drop of CPEC. He also informed the Ambassador about the forthcoming meeting of Board of Directors of Islamic Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (ICCIA) at Pakistan which will be attended by 19 members’ countries of Board of Directors of ICCIA in October 2019.

The President FPCCI met various dignitaries including Al-Waleed Yousuf J. Al-Darwish, the Arabian Gulf, Mr. Mohsin Mujtaba, Director Qatar stock Exchange, Ali Chahrour, Business Development Manager Al-Darwish Carpentry, Mr. Jeevani Siriwardena Director General Sri Lanka Export Development Board and Kh. Ammad Khalid Sikka Director Happilac.