Direct flights to Azerbaijan stressed to boost business

FCCI official says businessmen are unable to benefit from emerging opportunities

FAISALABAD: Azerbaijan is full of opportunities but due to non-availability of direct flights and without commercial counsellor in Azerbaijan, businessmen are unable to take advantage of the emerging business opportunities, said Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI) Senior Vice President Mian Tanveer Ahmed.

Ahmed’s comments come in the wake of the chamber’s recent visit to Azerbaijan. A 10-member delegation of the FCCI participated in the triangular exhibition organised by TUMSIT in Baku.

Ahmed, who led the delegation, said the exhibition provided the delegates a unique opportunity to explore the market and develop relations with potential buyers, which can help boost exports. The FCCI official shared that 35 exhibitors from Pakistan had established their stalls including those from Faisalabad.

He said, “We also discussed various issues to further enhance the bilateral trade between the two countries on a sustained basis.”

The senior vice president lamented that flights are available through Dubai, which takes around 10 to 12 hours. He said that in case of direct flights the travelling time would be reduced to only three hours in addition to providing the facility for air cargo.

He remarked that in the absence of commercial counsellor, Pakistani exporters could not conduct the market analysis or contact the serious and reliable buyers from that country.



However, contrary to other Central Asian States, Pakistan had banking links as a branch of National Bank of Pakistan is available there.

He urged the government to take measures to start direct flights for Azerbaijan in addition to the appointment of a competent commercial consular. 

Published in The Express Tribune, April 18^th, 2019.

Like Business on Facebook, follow @TribuneBiz on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.