The Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) on Tuesday handed over country-specific roadmap to Pakistan Ambassadors to Thailand, Uzbekistan and Cambodia that would help strengthen liaison, increase bilateral trade and promote economic co-operation.
The Ambassador to Thailand Sohail Khan, Ambassador to Uzbekistan Riaz Hussain Bukhari and Ambassador designate to Cambodia Amjad Ali Sher had a detailed meeting with the LCCI members and identified areas of mutual co-operation.
The LCCI President Farooq Iftikhar, Senior Vice President Irfan Iqbal Sheikh, Vice President Mian Abuzar Shad, former Senior Vice President Sohail Lashari and former Vice President Aftab Ahmad Vohra were prominent among the participants belonging to almost all sectors of economy.
The LCCI President Farooq Iftikhar was of the view that if Pakistan's diplomatic corps play its role proactively, it is not only the exports that would register a quantum jump but would also be instrumental in promoting the soft image of the country. He said that almost all Ambassadors that visit Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry show keen interest in promoting the products made in their respective countries and offer assistance to improve imports from their country while Pakistani Ambassadors rarely visit business associations of the country they are posted in.
He said that Pakistan holds a great potential that needs to be tapped. He said that Thailand, Uzbekistan and Cambodia are importing goods worth billions of dollars at higher rates from other countries of the world while same could be imported from Pakistan at a bit lower price. He said that Pakistani merchandise are simply the best in quality terms therefore, the diplomats should establish show casing facilities at Pakistani missions abroad to attract foreign buyers.
Farooq Iftikhar said that in categorical terms that the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry would extend maximum co-operation to this regard. He urged the ambassadors to work selflessly for exchange of trade delegations between Pakistan and the country they are posted in.
He said that Pakistan being an agricultural country has the potential to increase the exports of its agricultural goods to Thailand and hence strengthen economic ties. The textile sector of Pakistan is a fairly developed sector which earns considerable foreign exchange.