The visiting Secretary-General of the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dr Aqeel Al-Jassem commended to the Council of Arab Ambassadors in Pakistan greater commercial and investment relations with Pakistan.
He said that Arab investment in Pakistan was estimated to be in excess of five billion dollars and was expected to grow further during the coming years.
Dr Jassem was addressing a specially convened meeting of the Council of Arab Ambassadors accredited to Islamabad here on Wednesday that was presided over by Ahmed Al-Salman, Ambassador of Palestine and the doyen of diplomatic corps in Pakistan.
Saying that Arab countries were leading partners of Pakistan in trade and investment fields, he called upon the envoys to continue their efforts to further develop these relations.
The ICCI chief proposed greater exchange of business delegations, holding of exhibitions and seminars and development of human resources between their countries and Pakistan and said the chambers of commerce and industry in each country should be activated to cement these bonds.
Other measures suggested by Dr Jassem and supported by the Arab envoys were practical steps to "bridge the information gap through the Information Technology and strengthening of transport and communication links.
He also pleaded for steps for liberalisation of trade and adoption of more "investment-friendly" policies between Pakistan and the Arab World.