The Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) and Confederation of Asia Pacific Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CACCI) on Tuesday agreed to expand mutual co-operation. Speaking at a function organised by FPPCI here Ambassador Benedicto Yujuico, the President of CACCI, said that his organisation was a representative body of 27 Asia-Pacific countries.
"We need to improve our bilateral trade ties, Asia is the most populated region of the globe, but when we are analysing top 100 brands of different goods/commodities contribution of Asia, excluding Japan and Korea, is nil," he lamented. The CACCI team comprised leading businessmen from Taiwan, Hong Kong and the Philippines. "After reaching Pakistan, I came to know that Pakistan is a beautiful country with huge business potential. The Western media was portraying negative picture of Pakistan and I will not believe reports of CNN and other western media outlets," the president of CACCI said.
Ambassador of the Philippines to Pakistan Jesus Yabes said that his country was keen to boost co-operation with Pakistan. Haji Fazal Kadir Khan Sherani stressed the need for liberalising visa regime between the two countries, adding that there should be one visa for all CACCI member countries. His suggestion was welcomed by the visiting delegation.
Ambassador Benedicto Yujuico, the President of CACCI, said that the centre of economic gravity was shifting from Western countries to Asia, adding that the region should make all out efforts to benefit from the changed circumstances. The CACCI Chief invited Pakistani businessmen to participate in the 27th CACCI Conference to be held in March 14-15 next year in Cebu, Philippines, offered to concurrently organise a 'Made in Pakistan' expo. He also invited Pakistani entrepreneurs to join the CACCI Presidential visit to Myanmar next January and Japan in April.
CACCI's Vice-President Tariq Sayeed said that economic integration among Asia-Pacific countries could be achieved via the creation of an expanded and coherent market with stable financial and efficient logistics systems. Terming CACCI President's visit to Pakistan timely, Tariq Sayeed pointed out that it followed the 26th CACCI Katmandu Conference last week.