Diplomats from 17 countries visit LCCI

As many as 21 diplomats from 17 countries on Wednesday visited the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry and discussed different matters relating to the country's economy, Chamber's role in the economic growth, establishment of new businesses and capacity building of the entrepreneurs.
LCCI Vice President Kashif Anwar gave the briefing to the diplomatic team, headed by Director General Foreign Services Academy Murad Ali. He briefed the visiting diplomats about the various initiatives being taken by the LCCI for the revival of the economy and said that the Lahore Chamber is planning to hold three single country exhibitions to promote Pakistani merchandise at global business destinations.
He said besides these exhibitions, the LCCI regularly sends and receives business delegations to highlight the soft image of the country. He said the LCCI has established a Mediation Centre at its premises with the help and co-operation of International Finance Corporation for the out-of-court settlement of business disputes. A number of businessmen having business disputes have already availed the opportunity to get their cases resolved amicably with the help of Mediation Centre.
About the role of diplomats, he said "their role for the economic well-being of any country is beyond doubt because they have sufficient knowledge to portray economic potentials of any country to the outer world and thus pave way for foreign investment."
Kashif Anwar said in the developing trade scenario, it is necessary that the developing economies enhance trade amongst themselves. There is a need to prioritise Afro-Asian partnership. That can either be in the form of regional blocs such as ECO, African Union or through other bilateral co-operation. ECO, which has remained dormant for quite a long time should be activated.
Pakistan has a specific importance due to its strategic location. It is a gateway to Central Asian States. The development of Gwadar Deep Seaport and highways in Pakistan is going to give a jumpstart to the trade of Central Asian states in the regional context and world-wide. These landlocked countries would be easily accessible to the Afro-Asian countries, he added.
He said the primary objective of the Lahore Chamber is to protect and promote the interests of the business community and it acts as a bridge between the government and the business community. He urged the diplomats to identify tradable items, which leave a lot of room for product/market diversification. The basics for such exercises stem in the exchange of information between the diplomatic missions and the chambers, he maintained.