KARACHI:
Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Malaysia, Muhammad Nafees Zakaria has informed
that a state-of-the-art Display Center will be established at Pakistan’s High
Commission in Malaysia which will be created with the support and cooperation
of the business and industrial community.
“A Single
Country Exhibition will also be organized in Malaysia in the month of April
next year and we will ensure that this exhibition do not clashes with the dates
of Karachi Chamber’s My Karachi Exhibition which is also set to be staged in
April”, he informed while exchanging views during his visit to Karachi Chamber
of Commerce & Industry.
The Envoy
requested Karachi Chamber to participate in the Single Country Exhibition in
Malaysia and help in identifying numerous sectors which should be focused in this
event.
President
KCCI Muffasar Atta Malik, Senior Vice President Abdul Basit Abdul Razzak, Vice
President Rehan Hanif, Former President Majyd Aziz and KCCI Managing Committee
members were also present at the meeting.
Pakistan’s
High Commissioner assured that during his three years long tenure, he would
make all-out efforts to rebuild the image of Pakistan and improve its
perception by highlighting the true colors and actual potential of this
country.
“I am fully
committed but I cannot achieve the desired goals without the support and
cooperation of business community. I will strive really hard to look for the
right Malaysian businessmen and industrialists, particularly from the Pakistani
diaspora who are keen to enhance trade with Pakistan”, Nafees Zakaria said, “I
will not only be focusing on enhancing trade but will equally be concentrating
on furthering the political relations which are essential to facilitate trade”,
he added.
He was of the
opinion that Pakistan’s exports have been shrinking as the industrialization
has squeezed and the local production was narrowing, leaving no surplus for
exports whereas the value addition is also being ignored by Pakistani
manufacturers and raw material was largely being exported which was the basic
reason behind the descending exports.
He advised
the business and industrial community of Karachi to exports finest quality
goods as these products represent Pakistan so they have to be completely
flawless. Pakistani exporters usually remain engaged in exporting traditional
items including textiles, rice, surgical and sports goods etc. whereas many
other important products including fisheries, dairy products and basmati rice
etc. have not been tapped which have to be introduced in different markets
around the world including Malaysia.
In this
regard, Nafees Zakaria advised KCCI to carry out a detailed study which must
focus on identifying those Pakistani products and services which can be
exported to Malaysian market. “Although it was a small market of 30 million
population but other important markets within the proximity of Malaysia
including Vietnam, Thailand and Brunei must also be taken into consideration
while formulating this study which can be tapped by Pakistani exporters whereas
the Malaysian business community could also explore opportunities available not
only in Pakistan but also in its neighboring countries”, he added.
Referring to
China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project, he advised KCCI to fully
involve in this project by constantly remaining in touch with the Planning
Division as it has been observed that the business community is not much
acquainted with the significance and developments of this project. The business
community of Karachi must identify the areas of investment in CPEC project and
accordingly devise strategies to fully benefit from this project.
Earlier,
President KCCI Muffasar Atta Malik, in his remarks, pointed out that Pakistan
exported goods worth $138.53 million to Malaysia whereas its imports stood at
$924.52 million, indicating the overall trade volume heavily in favor of
Malaysia. “Pakistan’s High Commission must take serious steps to make trade
volume between the two countries balanced and any initiative taken, in this
regard by the High Commission will be fully supported by Karachi Chamber”, he
added.
To improve
Pakistan’s trade and investment ties with Malaysia, the paramount interest of
Pakistan’s High Commission should be to rebuild the image of Pakistan,
particularly Karachi where the security situation has substantially improved.
Referring to
High Commissioner’s suggestions about CPEC, President KCCI said that the
government has been facilitating the Chinese business community only whereas
not much attention and acquaintance about this project was being provided to
the business and industrial community of Karachi. “CPEC will not be successful
if the government continues to pay attention to Chinese businessmen and
investors only whereas the local business community is largely ignored”, he
added.
He was of the
view that the business community of Karachi, which deserves to be saluted, has
continued to carry out their activities despite so many odds including
widespread corruption, poor law and order, rigid taxation policies and massive
discretionary powers. “We, the business community of Karachi, require a level
playing field and one-window operations in order to enhance exports”, President
KCCI stressed.
On
the occasion, Muffasar Malik sought High Commissioner’s assistance in
effectively promoting Karachi Chamber’s 15th My Karachi – Oasis
of Harmony Exhibition amongst Malaysian business community. The three-day long
exhibition scheduled to be organized on 20th, 21st &
22nd April 2018 will provide a perfect opportunity to Malaysian
business community to showcase their products and services in front of more
than 1 million visitors, he added.
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