Various industrial sectors: Argentina envoy for formation of joint working group

FAISALABAD: Ambassador of Argentina to Pakistan Leopoldo Francisco Sahores called for the formation of a joint working group in various industrial sectors, including textiles, to promote bilateral trade and economic cooperation between the two countries, and said that it would be implemented soon. He said this while addressing a meeting at the office of Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers and Exporters Association.

He said that Argentina was keenly interested in enhancing cooperation with Pakistan in various fields as diplomatic relations between the two countries were important for 70 years.

The Argentine Ambassador further said that in order to take bilateral trade to new heights, strengthening of contacts between industrialists and exchange of trade delegations is essential.

He said that good results could be achieved if the industrialists of both the countries were provided a platform, and Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PHMA) could play a key role in this.

Mian Kashif Zia, chairman of the Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers and Exporters Association (North Zone), said that Argentina is one of the leading countries in the world in terms of livestock and grain production.

He said that Argentina’s economy is almost twice as big as Pakistan’s and is ranked 31st among the world’s largest economies in terms of GDP. About 60% of Argentina’s demand for textile products is met through imports, while 40% is produced locally.

He said that in order to increase the exports of value added textile sector for Argentina, it was necessary to enhance the working relationship between the two countries. He said that a delegation of industrialists from PHMA would soon visit Argentina to introduce their garment products and also to export to Argentina in the near future.

Qamar Aftab, former Chairman PHMA said, “Customs tariffs on exports from Pakistan to Argentina should be reduced, and we should be provided with a list of duties, so that we can work on it and further increase our exports. We want our products to be known in your country as well, but we need to create opportunities for the textile sector in Argentina.”

Nahid Abbas, Executive Member, PHMA, emphasized the importance of holding an exhibition in Argentina, saying that it would not only boost bilateral relations but also increase bilateral trade. Just as the EU has provided GSP Plus facility to Pakistan, Argentina should also provide us facility like Duty Free or GSP Plus.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2022