Oman sees potential for deepening trade ties

CG asks Pakistan to export more agri-products to Gulf nation

KARACHI:

While expressing dissatisfaction with limited trade with Pakistan, Oman Consul General in Karachi Engineer Sami Abdullah Salim Al Khanjari has said although there is potential to enhance ties, not much trade is taking place despite being very close to each other.

“Pakistan has been exporting only rice, mangoes and potatoes to Oman but what about onions, chillies, carrots, lemons and other agricultural products, which can quickly reach Oman in fresh state but, unfortunately, Pakistan is nowhere in exporting all such and many other products, which are being imported from far-flung countries including China, Vietnam, Australia, New Zealand, Ethiopia and Somalia,” he said.

He was exchanging views at a meeting during his visit to the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), according to a statement issued on Saturday.

The CG advised the business community of Karachi to explore the export of more fruits, vegetables and other agricultural products so that the existing bilateral trade volume could be improved.

“Pakistani rice being exported to Oman is one of the best in the world whose export needs to be enhanced further. We also not only require frozen meat but also fresh meat,” he said.

He was of the opinion that Pakistan’s textile and leather products including garments had good potential but those were not being exported to Oman, “which requires special attention”.

Read: Trans-gulf trade corridor

Speaking about investment opportunities in the Arab nation, the CG said Oman had five ports namely Salalah, Qalhat, Sohar, Duqm and Sultan Qaboos, which were among the best in the Gulf region, where investors from China, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, India and many other countries had made substantial investments.

“Saudi Arabia alone has invested more than $1 billion while another $1 billion is on its way. India, which is a little far from Oman as compared to Pakistan, is also making good investment in Oman but Pakistan is not there, despite being closer to us,” he pointed out. “Why we are unable to improve trade? If it is a visa issue, we are dealing with it.”

KCCI President Iftikhar Ahmed Sheikh hoped to see the deepening of bilateral relationship and extended full support and cooperation in achieving the common objective of enhancing trade and investment ties.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 26^th, 2023.

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