Saudi ambassador pushes for greater quality control

Points to potential for export of quality products, joint ventures

ISLAMABAD: There is a great potential for imports from Pakistan, however, it remains untapped due to dearth of quality control and Saudi investors can assist in this regard as they are keen to set up joint ventures with Pakistani businessmen in multiple sectors, including food processing and steel manufacturing.

This was stated by Saudi Ambassador Abdullah Marzouq Al-Zahrani during a meeting with a delegation of the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) on Monday, said a press release.

ICCI President Atif Ikram Sheikh insisted that businessmen of both sides must play their role in further enhancing trade between the two countries.



The ambassador said his country considered Pakistan an important trading partner and wanted to further enhance import of many products from the South Asian nation. He pointed out that Pakistani entrepreneurs had tremendous opportunities to promote trade with Saudi Arabia by improving the quality of their products.

Al-Zahrani revealed that Saudi investors were interested in investment and joint ventures in various sectors, especially in food processing and steel manufacturing.

He noted that both countries should organise single-country exhibitions and encourage frequent exchange of trade delegations to explore the untapped areas for mutual collaboration.

He also gave assurances that the Pakistani business community would be facilitated in their visits to Riyadh for exploring business opportunities and holding exhibitions.

The ICCI delegates said Pakistan was exporting very few products to Saudi Arabia including textile, rice, meat, fish, spices, food and vegetables.

However, they noted that there was tremendous potential and scope to export more products including high-quality medicines, cement, steel and many other industrial products.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 8^th, 2016.

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