Talking to Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI) Vice President Fahim-ur-Rehman Saigal, he called for making visa process easy and business friendly. He invited Pakistani businessmen to step into joint ventures with their counterparts in pharmaceutical and various other sectors in his country.

He said that all sectors of economy in Somalia were open for Pakistani investors. He said that exchange of trade delegations could help strengthen mutual trade and economic relations. He said that first-ever 'Made in Pakistan' exhibition will be held in Somalia next year.

Speaking on the occasion, LCCI Vice President Fahim-ur-Rehman Saigal said that private sectors of the two countries should explore ways which should be beneficial for the two countries.

He said that Somalia is a member state of African Union and also part of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. He said that Lahore Chamber had been advocating the idea that Pakistan must explore African market for enhancing its exports.

Saigal said that bilateral trade between Pakistan and Somalia was witnessing an increasing trend. From 2015 to 2017, the level of bilateral trade had gone up from $31 million to $50 million. He said that imports from Somalia average around $7 million; however, Pakistan's exports to Somalia have almost doubled in three years closing in at $43 million in 2017.

Pakistan's exports to Somalia consist of rice, sugar and pharmaceutical products, etc.

"We have the capacity to meet the demand of Somalia for home appliances, electrical items, motorbikes, articles of apparel and plastics etc," the LCCI vice president said and added that Lahore Chamber and the Embassy of Somalia should maintain good liaison so that both could work together to find ways for increasing trade and economic relations.

He said that the LCCI was ready to respond any initiative taken by the Embassy of Somalia.