Ambassador of Thailand to Pakistan Marut Jitpatima on Thursday said that Pakistan could become world leader in $1.3 trillion global Halal Food market. Marut Jitpatima said this while talking to a delegation led by Chairman Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), Capital Office, Hameed Akhtar Chadda.
The delegation included Chairman FPCCI Standing Committee Media and PR Malik Sohail, SVC Kanwar Qutbuddin, Asim Sohail and others The Ambassador said that draft of Joint Trade Committee has been completed and hoped that President FPCCI Senator Ghulam Ali will help boost trade between the two countries.
"We are planning to establish a Thai Industrial Zone in Pakistan and looking forward to get the facility of bonded warehouse," said Jitpatima, adding that construction of a Thai Plaza in Karachi is on the card. He said that the countries importing meat from Pakistan were satisfied with the price and quality. "However, there is always room for improvement which will help propel Pakistan's economy," he stressed.
Pakistan and Thailand can jointly explore this promising market with around two billion customers and become world's kitchen with proper initiatives and strategies, he said. "Thailand is world leader in poultry products and we can help develop Pakistan's expanding poultry sector to become more competitive. We are also interested in investment and joint ventures in Pakistan energy sector," he added.
Chadda and Qutbuddin apprised the Ambassador of the enabling environment in Pakistan and assured co-operation of business community in identifying areas of mutual benefit. The Ambassador agreed to the offer of Malik Sohail Hussain to launch a Thai Food Festival in Islamabad on completion of 60 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
He also lauded the proposal of establishing Thai-Pakistan Trade and Cultural Centre in Islamabad.
"Our bilateral trade is around one billion dollars that needs to be enhanced," said Malik Sohail Hussain, adding that frequent exchange of trade delegations is imperative. Pakistan can get benefit from Thai expertise in the tourism sector, he said. He said that FPCCI would arrange meetings with Thai officials and chambers across the country to boost bilateral ties.