Efforts to form Afro-Asian Economic Forum (AEF) enter into the final stage with the member states agreeing to frame the constitution and aims and objectives of the forum.
Pakistan, Japan, South Korea, South Africa, Egypt and other member states have, in principle, agreed to nominate the former South Africa president Nelson Mandela as the patron of the body and a leading businessman and Pakistan Muslim League (PML) leader Umar Masoud as its founding president.
Sources said the aim and objective of the move is to bring the Asian and Afro economies of the world together to enhance the bilateral trade and investment by boosting economic activity between the member-states with amplified co-ordination and co-operation.
It has also been learnt that South African High Commissioner to Pakistan D.J. Mavimbela Pakistani business elite Umar Masoud, Afro-Asian Center President Muhammad Shahid and diplomats and businessmen from Japan, South Korea, South Africa and Egypt are also playing a catalyst role in the formation of the Afro-Asian Economic Forum.
Sources said, the former prime minister and PML President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and PML Secretary-General Mushahid Hussain Syed are also fully backing the process.
It has also been decided that the Afro-Asian Center would also be merged into the AEF for better results and co-ordination.
Recently, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain hosted a delegation of South African investors and diplomats at his residence and floated important suggestions about setting up the AEF Central Secretariat and framing its constitution.
In another development, South African High Commissioner D.J. Mavimbela, his deputy Ebrahim Sedaat, and first secretary M.M. Mestyawa called on proposed AEF president Umar Masoud at his residence on Wednesday and discussed with him matters of mutual interests. Affairs pertaining to the finalisation of the AEF also came under discussion. Afro-Asian Center President Muhammad Shahid was also present.
From Pakistan, besides Umar Masoud, distinguished businessmen, eminent bureaucrats and diplomats also attended the working dinner and floated useful suggestions.
When contacted by the APP, Umar Masoud said the aim and objective of the initiative was to bring the South African investors to Asia, specifically to Pakistan, in view that Asia is going to be the center-stage for the future economic activities.
"Keeping in view the global business developments, our aim is to make Pakistan a hub of foreign investment and South Africa as leading partner of Pakistan to make the AEF a success. Other leading Asian states, including South Korea and Japan are willing to play a pivotal role in this regard", he said.
"AEF, being formalised on the patron of BOA Forum of Asia, comprising captains of the business industry and elite political leaders of the Afro-Asian states", he added.
He said a South African investors delegation would soon visit Pakistan to explore more investment opportunities here. During the visit, he said the South African investors would also meet President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz.
He said in a follow-up move, a delegation comprising PML leaders and Pakistani businessmen, would also visit South Africa and agreement would also be inked between the two countries to boost bilateral trade. "South African countries are shifting their focus on investment in Asia, specifically in Pakistan, and we need to join the bandwagon without further delay," he added.