Business community urges easing travel restrictions with China

Requests multiple visas for longer durations to explore trade potential


Ppi June 24, 2017
PHOTO: AFP

KARACHI: The Chinese government has been requested to review its business visa policy by the Pakistan Soap Manufacturers Association (PSMA) and Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry President Abdullah Zaki.

Visa policy for Chinese nationals under review

The request stems from a complex process for obtaining visas to China which are rarely issued for more than three months. Zaki suggested granting multiple visas to the business community for a period of at least one year.

Acknowledging the close relationship between the business communities of the two countries, coupled with excellent trading ties, Zaki lamented the obstacles that Pakistani businessmen have to face when attempting to visit China for exploring trade and investment opportunities.

While commenting on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the PSMA chairman said that extensive avenues of economic cooperation and trade enhancement had been created due to the project.

To realise the full potential of these opportunities, Zaki stated that people to people contact and greater facilitation of businessmen needs to be assured by the two governments.

He laid special emphasis on Chinese authorities paving way for closer interaction and cooperation between the business communities of Pakistan and China by easing the visa issuance process and extending visa duration to one year.

Nisar promises efforts to promote economic activities

Keeping in view these strong ties between the two countries, Zaki hoped that the Chinese government will pay attention to this request from the collective business community of Pakistan and accordingly issue directives to its Consulates in Pakistan for timely issuance of visas to Pakistani businessmen and industrialists which should be valid for a longer duration of at least one year.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 24th, 2017.

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