Philippine ambassador all for improvement in bilateral ties

Meets FCCI chief to discuss ways of increasing trade volume.

FAISALABAD: Philippine Ambassador Domingo D Lucenario has said that direct linkages between business communities are imperative in order to increase the volume of bilateral trade between Pakistan and Philippines. He stated while addressing a gathering of the members of the Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI).

Domingo said the current level of trade does not reflect the true potential that exists between the countries. He suggested formulation of a better connection between chambers of both the countries.

“I will visit Faisalabad again in January next year to give a comprehensive presentation to the local businessmen on trade opportunities available in Philippines,” he said.

He also invited the local businessmen to participate in trade exhibitions scheduled for December this year and in March and October next year.

He assured full facilitation including arrangements for business meetings and said that 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries collectively form a big consumer market of over 600 million people. He hoped that the Faisalabad business community would also take advantage of this opportunity.

He said that Philippines organised two major annual trade shows, in addition to one in December on Christmas Eve and assured the best possible facilities to businessmen intending to participate.

He also appreciated the annual trade exhibition of FCCI and assured that businessmen from Philippines would also be convinced to participate in it.

Domingo said the Philippine embassy in Islamabad was under construction and is expected to be completed within the next few months.

Commercial Counselor John Paul B Inigo said that Philippine embassy was issuing a one year multiple entry visa to businessmen. However, on the recommendation of the chamber, visas for longer duration could also be issued.

He particularly invited Pakistani businessmen to attend the trade show in December as it would be attended by a large number of importers and exporters from the ASEAN countries.

Earlier, Ashraf informed the gathering of Faisalabad’s contribution to the country’s economy. “It has emerged as the hub of the textile industry,” he added.

He said that the bilateral trade volume between Pakistan and the Philippines is only $94 million and efforts should be made to increase it.

He proposed single country exhibitions in both countries in addition to the regular exchange of trade delegations.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 22^nd, 2014.

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