Bilateral ties: Algeria keen to enhance trade with Pakistan

Ambassador invites businessmen to Trade Expo, assures cooperation

ISLAMABAD: The People’s Republic of Algeria is keen to enhance trade with Pakistan as there is potential to promote bilateral trade in different areas, said Ambassador of People’s Republic of Algeria Lakhal Benkelai, while exchanging views with the business community at the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI).

“The best way to promote two-way trade is to establish direct contacts between the private sectors of both countries,” he said.

“Algeria is hosting a bigger ‘Trade Expo’ this time, which will be held from May 28 till June 2 this year and a large number of businessmen from Arab countries, Europe, Africa and Asia are expected to participate in it,” he informed, adding that it was a good opportunity for Pakistani businessmen to explore trade opportunities.

“China has made investment in Algeria already. Pakistan could import olive oil, petroleum products and natural gas from us, while we could import food and many consumer products from Pakistan,” he added.

He said direct contact between the entrepreneurs of both countries was the key to exploring new avenues of mutual cooperation and stressed on trade associations to encourage business-to-business meetings. He invited the ICCI to bring their delegation to Algeria and assured his embassy’s support and cooperation to make the visit ‘result-oriented’.

“Pakistan and Algeria should strengthen bilateral trade and exchange trade delegations as they are the best tools for promoting economic relations,” said ICCI President Atif Ikram Sheikh.

“Pakistani food, rice, textiles, pharmaceuticals, surgical instruments and leather products could find a good market in Algeria,” he added. 

Published in The Express Tribune, March 11^th, 2016.

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