Madame Mishi Masika Mwatsahu, High Commissioner of Kenya in Pakistan, has stressed the need for frequent exchange of trade delegations to exploit the opportunities available for the promotion of bilateral trade between Pakistan and Kenya.
Addressing businessmen, industrialists and investors at Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI), she termed Kenya as gateway to East Africa and said that it provides easy access to the market of 200 million people.
She explained in detail the investment- and business-friendly policies of Kenyan government and said that best possible infrastructure has been provided while all duties and taxes have been abolished to facilitate foreign investors.
She said that Kenyan High Commission was also issuing visas liberally to genuine exporters and investors, and assured to include members of FCCI in trade delegation for Kenya.
She was appreciative of the quality of agricultural appliances manufactured in Faisalabad and said that there were huge opportunities for the consumption of Pakistan made machinery in Kenya.
She stressed need for direct contracts between the private sectors of the two countries and said that they should exploit opportunities of launching joint ventures.
Earlier, FCCI president Muhammad Haneef in his address of welcome said that Faisalabad has emerged as a major industrial hub of the country. It is known as textile capital of the world because of its state-of-the-art weaving, knitting, processing and stitching units. He said that there were also other industries like chemicals, ghee, edible oil, agriculture engineering and soap, which are making rapid progress.
He said that it also has a dry port, which has helped in doubling the exports from the region. He said that Pakistan and Kenya should take advantage of the global economic scenario to strengthen their respective economies.
Kenyan Deputy High Commissioner J K Soi and Second Secretary also attended the function while Haneef presented shields of FCCI to the Kenyan guests.