President’s visit: Exploring new business opportunities with China

Pakistan’s ambassador exhorts unrealised trade potential.

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari’s recent visit to China is expected to open up new avenues for boosting trade and regional connectivity. Talking to state media, Pakistan’s Ambassador to China, Masood Khan said that President Zardari’s participation in the Euro-Asia Expo was aimed at finding new avenues for improving economic and trade relationship between China and Pakistan.

He said that President Zardari’s visit to China was significant as it would help increase trade volume besides opening new areas for business. Replying to a question, he said that Pakistani market had a number of Chinese items which were already very popular. He said that the Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry and China have made numerous agreements to boost economic ties. The ambassador said that Pakistan wanted to increase trade volume with China and for this, the businessmen from the neighbouring country have been asked to visit Pakistan and assess opportunities that exist in different fields

Masood Khan said that there are number of fields in Pakistan where Chinese companies can invest like oil and gas, energy, infrastructure and telecommunication. He was of the view that Pakistani traders should go to Xinjiang to seek out areas where Pakistani products can be introduced to China.

Replying to a question, he said that both the leaders of China and Pakistan wanted to work for maintaining regional peace, progress, prosperity and development for the welfare of the people.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 5^th,  2011.