"Pakistan can learn a lot and earn valuable foreign exchange if Buddhist tourism is promoted in Pakistan with the help and experience of Thailand private sector since over six percent of Thai GDP is due to tourism. At the same time, Thailand can help develop tourist resorts and tours also either as joint ventures or through consultative inputs."
This was stated by Majyd Aziz, former President of Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in a meeting with Dr Sirichai Silparcha, Chairman, and members of Phuket Chamber of Commerce, Thailand as special representative of KCCI President. Aziz further stated that the bilateral trade between both the countries is gradually going down and is now less than $475 million per year. He advocated the need for Thailand 's private sector to support the case of Pakistan in ASEAN and lobby for a Free Trade Agreement to boost bilateral trade, and evaluate possibility of Thai investment in Pakistan. He also said that there is great scope for Thai support in gems and jewellery and in enhancing the productivity of rice.
He said that Pakistan could also learn from Thai programme of full employment since the unemployment rate in Thailand is only about one percent. He also invited Thai participation in My Karachi Exhibition, being annually organised by KCCI.
Earlier, Chairman Dr Sirichai Silparcha, Vice Chairman Choompol Aekasin, Secretary General, Surachai Chaiyawat, and Secretary Ms Thamonwan Polcharoen of PCC welcomed Majyd Aziz and highlighted the activities of the chamber. They informed that they have close liaison with the government and that the chamber is also financially supported by the government. They also called for signing a MoU between the two chambers and authorised the secretary to liase with KCCI in this regard.
They also said that there is great demand for real estate in Phuket and it is fast becoming one of the world's most popular place to live, invest and visit. They also assured that the chamber would consider participation in My Karachi in 2012. They also invited the KCCI hierarchy to visit Phuket as a business delegation.-PR