Envoy calls for boosting exports to North Africa

Says region provides opportunity for expanding trade, economic ties

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan’s business community should focus on Morocco to boost exports to North African countries because the region offers a great opportunity for promoting trade and economic relations, said Pakistan’s Ambassador to Morocco Hamid Asghar Khan.

Talking to the business community at the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) on Friday, Khan urged businessmen to enhance their presence in Morocco to improve Pakistan’s market share in North Africa.

“Businessmen of Morocco are interested in joint ventures with Pakistan, especially in agriculture, fertiliser and other sectors,” he said.

He was of the view that business chambers and other trade bodies of Pakistan could play a vital role in connecting members of the business community with their Moroccan counterparts for strong business linkages.

He assured them of full cooperation of his embassy in realising these goals.

Speaking on the occasion, ICCI Senior Vice President Fatma Azim said that Pakistan had the potential to export several products to Morocco and other North African countries.

She pointed out that Pakistani businessmen could export rice, pharmaceuticals, textile products, surgical instruments, fruits, rickshaws and motorbikes to Africa.

“Pakistan and Morocco should focus on operating direct flights and establishing robust air links to improve trade relations and people-to-people contacts,” she emphasised.

Azim added that the Embassy of Pakistan in Morocco should conduct a market study and share its findings with the local chambers of commerce and industry so that exporters could exploit the available business opportunities in the Moroccan market.

She urged governments of both nations to facilitate frequent exchange of trade delegations and organise single-country exhibitions to explore all untapped areas of trade promotion.

She emphasised that linkages between businesswomen of both countries should be strengthened as well to boost bilateral trade.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 31^st, 2021.

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