Tapping new markets: TDAP chief for focus on trade with Africa

Says Pakistan can take advantage of free trade between Morocco and US.

KARACHI:

Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) Chief Executive Officer SM Muneer has emphasised the need for making inroads into the growing African market, where economies are consistently rising with an increasing purchasing power of consumers.

“Pakistan can take advantage of the free trade agreement (FTA) Morocco has signed with the US and European Union,” said Muneer in a meeting with honorary Consul General of Morocco and a leading industrialist Ishtiaq Baig at the TDAP offcice.

They discussed the measures required to help increase trade between Pakistan and Morocco.

“The focus of our exporters is Europe and America whereas Africa – with a population of one billion – has been neglected,” Baig said.



Despite a long-term and deep relationship between the two countries and holding a strong economic potential, the trade volume was very low at $400 million per annum. “Both the sides need to take concrete steps to enhance trade and economic cooperation,” he suggested.

Baig proposed that the TDAP should organise a single-country exhibition in Morocco and send a trade delegation to explore the market potential.

Assuring Baig of full cooperation in enhancing bilateral trade, Muneer stressed that Pakistan should explore all available avenues including taking maximum benefit of the FTA between Morocco and the US and European Union by enhancing trade and investment in the African nation. 

Published in The Express Tribune, September 25^th, 2014.

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