Karachi: FPCCI delegation under the leadership of Khalid Tawab, Vice President FPCCI met Sheikha Lubna, Minister for Foreign Trade UAE Government at a Luncheon meeting on the occasion of Magnificent -7 UAE Expo 2011.
He was accompanied by Usman Sheikh, Vice President FPCCI, Dr. Mirza Ikhtiar Baig, Chairman Pak-UAE Business Council of FPCCI, Tariq Rafi, Senator Haseeb Khan, Nasir Schon, Waseem Vohra, Farooq Mazhar, Arshad Aziz and Mir Nasir Abbas.
Her Excellency Sheikha Lubna while welcoming the FPCCI Delegation stated that Pakistan and the UAE relations are blessed with deep rooted cultural affinities as well as traditional and geographical proximity.
The relations have evolved since the formation of UAE in 1971 and have further strengthened the wide ranging economic cooperation and mutual contribution for a common goal. The time honored relations are based on the strong pillars of joint trading and collaborative understanding. She further added that apart from the assistance during the hard times UAE is ever keen to help Pakistan for development projects. Over and above UAE is a major investor in Pakistan’s key sector like oil and gas, telecommunications, real estate, aviation, banking and energy.
Khalid Tawab while reciprocating appreciated the efforts made by the UAE Consul General and His Excellency the Ambassador for organizing Magnificent – 7. Further adding that the Expo and the Investors Conference will bring UAE entrepreneurs more closer to the Pakistani businessmen. He assured the Minister of UAE that the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry will make all possible efforts to translate interaction during the tenure of the Fair into joint ventures and explore new avenues for investments between the two friendly countries.
Tawab further stated that few issues if removed will pave way for trade and economic cooperation on a much larger scale. He stated that for visiting UAE the Visa as per earlier practice should be issued on the very same day having a validity for one year. The UAE banks should go for project financing and focus on energy sector and the facilities at the Export Processing Zone Authorities may be utilized.
Usman Sheikh, Vice President FPCCI suggested that the procurement of Rice for the Cooperatives should be from Pakistan being a rice exporting country. Ikhtiar Baig Chairman Pak-UAE Business Council emphasized the need for early conclusion of FTA between Pakistan and GCC countries. Mir Nasir Abbas DG FPCCI suggested that FPCCI is willing to reciprocate by holding Pakistan’s Single Country Exhibition in UAE for which the Minister of Foreign Trade may facilitate by offering space in DUBAI Other delegates from the FPCCI side emphasized the need for more closer collaboration between the two countries for cementing the trade and economic cooperation.
Pakistan’s Ambassador to UAE who was also present appreciated the genuine issues pointed out by the FPCCI delegation and assured that they will be part of the agenda for the forthcoming Pakistan-UAE Joint Ministerial Commission meeting.
