Tajik envoy stresses need of greater trade

Says bilateral relations could flourish through exchange of delegations.

LAHORE: Tajikistan Ambassador Sherali S Jononov has expressed his keenness to strengthen trade with Pakistan and suggested that the private sector of both sides should work hand in hand to tap the huge existing potential.

These views were shared by the ambassador while talking to Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) President Ijaz A Mumtaz.

He said bilateral trade between the two countries could flourish through exchange of trade delegations and holding single-country exhibitions.

Jononov said China and Iran were used to holding single-country exhibitions in Tajikistan and the LCCI should also take the lead in this regard. He said he was ready to arrange business-to-business meetings of Pakistani businessmen in Tajikistan provided the LCCI arranged a delegation.

Speaking on the occasion, Mumtaz said Pakistan and Tajikistan shared good diplomatic relations but these were hardly reflected in trade.

He added the value of Pakistan’s imports from Tajikistan was less than half a million dollars in 2013. However, exports from Pakistan to Tajikistan have shown some improvement in recent years.

In 2011, the value of exports to Tajikistan was $0.62 million, which swelled to $3.1 million and $10.3 million in 2012 and 2013 respectively.

He said greater interaction between chambers of commerce of the two countries, exchange of trade delegations and organising single-country exhibitions could increase the volume of bilateral trade.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 19^th, 2015.

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