Exporters assured of speedy payments

Envoy-designate cautions exporters will have to compete with India in Ukraine

FAISALABAD: A reliable, viable and foolproof system will be evolved to ensure speedy payments to the Pakistani exporters dealing with Ukraine, emphasised Pakistan Ambassadordesignate to Ukraine Major General (Retired) Zahid Mubashir Sheikh.

Speaking to members of the Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Tuesday, Sheikh termed business community the backbone of national economy.

“Earlier, this community was ignored, hence, our economy is facing a deep crisis. Now, people have realised its importance and concerted efforts are being made by the government and the private sector to stabilise the econ omy,” he said.

Regarding his nomination, he stressed that his onepoint agenda was to enhance Pakistan’s exports to Ukraine. “Ukraine is an untapped market which has its own pros and cons,” he remarked. He pointed out that Pakistani exporters would have to compete with Indian businessmen who were already working there. “There is no proper banking system and hence we must safeguard the legitimate interest of Pakistani exporters.”

He revealed that he had planned to compile data of reliable business houses of Ukraine which would be shared with the potential Pakistani exporters. “I will try my best that the agreements signed between businessmen of the two countries are honoured,” he added.

He praised a proposal floated by Mian Latif of ChenOne who suggested that Pakistani exporters should establish their own warehouses in Ukraine from where they could supply their products to local buyers on cash payment.

The envoy suggested that Pakistan could export rice, wheat, kinnow, bed sheets and raw cotton in addition to various value-added goods for which Pakistani brands should be introduced. Responding to a question, Sheikh said women could also export woollen socks, gloves, leather goods, long shoes, overcoats, etc.

However, he emphasised that they must stick to the specified quality to ensure their presence in the market in the long run. He underlined the importance of promoting bilateral trade between businessmen of the two countries and in that connection, he would not only facilitate visit of Pakistani exporters to Ukraine, but a delegation from Ukraine would also be encouraged to visit major business centres of Pakistan including those in Faisalabad

Published in The Express Tribune, November 7^th, 2018.

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