Speaking to businessmen at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) on Friday, the ambassador said Iraq was also in dire need of manpower from Pakistan to complete projects in construction, manufacturing and agricultural sectors.
He said Iraq needed Pakistan’s help in sectors such as education, healthcare and engineering, therefore, Pakistani educationists, doctors and engineers should avail of opportunities in the country.
He revealed that Pakistan’s prime minister was due to visit Iraq in the near future where he would sign a number of economy-related agreements.
The ambassador asked the LCCI president to arrange a sector-specific delegation so that businessmen could have first-hand knowledge of business facilities being offered by the Iraqi government.
He said construction companies, which if provided proper information, could consider Iraq as a potential market. Likewise, Iraq could benefit from cheap and abundant labour available in Pakistan for the purpose.
He said in the domain of educational aids and stationery, Iraq would find Pakistan to be a dependable supply source. The publishing houses in Pakistan were competent enough to cater to the specific needs of the Iraqi educational system.
The LCCI president also offered help to the diplomat in developing telecommunications linkages.
In the past, Pakistan’s exports to Iraq included salt, stone, lime and cement, cereals, machinery, plastic products and articles of iron and steel while imports from Iraq were plastics, fruits, milling products, starches, wheat gluten, aircraft parts and machinery.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 26th, 2011.
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After the Dubai fiasco, Pakistani entrepreneurs and business men are actively searching for new more booming markets and Iraq is a perfect example. According to sources, almost 300 business men will reach Iraq during and after Gilani's visit.