Pakistan, Canada have strong ties, says HC Tariq Azim

Invites businessmen to avail themselves of opportunities here

Pakistan’s High Commissioner in Canada Tariq Azim Khan has said the relations between Pakistan and Canada are based on strong foundations of friendship and cooperation.

“We have to take it to new heights,” he stressed while addressing the annual dinner of Canada-Pakistani Business Association in Manitoba on Thursday.
Moreover, Pakistan has laid the foundation of sustained growth, he said adding that the government’s prudent policies have restored macroeconomic stability.
While sharing features of the country Azim said globally, Pakistan is ranked 2nd in salt reserves, 3rd in copper and 5th in iron ore and coal reserves.
Pakistan is also ranked 4th in cotton and milk production, 8th in wheat production, 9th in meat production and 11th in rice production, he added.
The high commissioner said that Pakistan considers Canada very important partner for the size of its economy and membership of important fora like G-7, G-20, WTO and the Commonwealth.
He added that Pakistan, as an emerging economy, is keen to engage in a ‘full spectrum’ partnership including in trade and investment sectors with Canada.
Azim noted that the volume of bilateral trade among both the countries in goods alone has doubled in the last three years from C$ 703.7 million in 2014 to C$ 1.7 billion in 2017.
Moreover, the high commissioner informed the investors that Pakistan, located on the crossroads of landlocked regions and strategic sea lanes of communication, offers attractive business opportunities and meets the priority areas for Canada’s expertise like industrial machinery, ICT, infrastructure, mining, clean technologies, agriculture and higher education sectors.
He invited Canadian businessmen and investors to avail from the opportunities in Pakistan.
During the event Azim also presented Muhammad Ali Jinnah award to the prominent businessmen who contributed to enhancing trade between Pakistan and Manitoba province of Canada.
The award ceremony was attended by a large number of parliamentarians and businessmen. He thanked President of Canada-Pakistan Business Association, Manitoba Anis Khan, for arranging the meeting with businessmen from Winnipeg.