Call for promoting trade ties between Pakistan and East Asian nations

Experts say South Korea can play role in restoring historical links

ISLAMABAD:

Diplomats, economists and intellectuals on Wednesday agreed that South Korea can play a significant role in developing economic and trade relations between Pakistan and East Asian countries.

Several intellectuals emphasised on restoring multilateral sectors and historical links for promoting economic and trade relations between Pakistan and East Asian countries including Korea.

The Institute of Strategic Studies (ISS), in collaboration with the Embassy of the Republic of Korea, organised a policy dialogue on “Comprehensive Economic Partnership: East Asia and Pakistan.”

The distinguished speakers of the dialogue included, Ambassador Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, DG ISSI; Suh SangPyo, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea, Ambassador Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Pakistan; Dr. Neelum Nigar, Director CSP; Muhammad Naseer, DG Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP); Kim Sung Jae, DG (Korea Trade and Investment Promotion Agency) KOTRA; Chang Yong Il, Managing director of Samsung Pakistan; Zhonglei Mou.

The speakers discussed various fields including mutual trade, investment, religious tourism, relocation of modern industry, development of mutual technology, people to people contact and ancient Buddhist religious heritage for the promotion of economic and trade relations between Pakistan and East Asian countries.

In his welcome remarks, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea Ambassador Suh SangPyo explained the idea of the comprehensive economic partnership between Pakistan and East Asia. He said that Pakistan and East Asia share promising economic ties.

The ambassador elucidated that East Asia accounts for one-fourth of Pakistan’s trade and said that there will be many opportunities for growing together once the partnership reaches an official agreement.

He spoke at length regarding the economic opportunities and challenges East Asian countries, particularly South Korea, face while interacting with Pakistan. In the end, he extended his gratitude to ISSI for putting its efforts into organising the event.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 28^th, 2022.