Ambassador vows to enhance trade with Azerbaijan - Press Release issued by Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry

Islamabad, May 20, 2011 (PPI): Following is the text of press release issued by Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry

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Pakistan’s Ambassador designate to Azerbaijan Inayatullah Kakar on Friday said he would focus on cementing bilateral relations between the two countries, particularly economic, trade and investment ties with the brotherly country of Azerbaijan.

He said that he would encourage Azeri investors to avail the liberal incentives package and investment friendly policies of Pakistan and concentrate on exploring new markets to boost exports of Pakistani goods.

Talking to business community at FPCCI Capital Office, Kakar said that Pakistan and Azerbaijan already have close bilateral cooperation and expressed hope that it would touch new heights with the help of business community of the two countries.

At the occasion, Chairman Coordination FPCCI Raza Khan, former presidents ICCI Nasir Khan, Khalid Jaweed and others said that they would extend all cooperation to expand economic ties.

Raza Khan said that improvement of air and road links is imperative to achieve goal of meaningful trade between Pakistan and the central Asia. “Language is another barrier impeding growth in trade relations,” he observed.

He advised Kakar to focus on Peshawar which is best placed for trade with central Asian states in the current set of circumstances.

Azerbaijan can use port city of Karachi as a store for onward exports to other countries, said Raza Khan adding that Pakistan can import cotton from Baku and export textiles, sugar and pharmaceuticals, which are in great demand there.

Nasir Khan said that bright prospects of mutually beneficial cooperation exists in the sectors like banking, finance, education, agriculture, science, IT, oil, gas, tourism, engineering, culture and investment sectors.

He stressed that both brotherly countries should strive to find new avenues of cooperation.

Khalid Jaweed said that Pakistan was the second country to recognize independence of Azerbaijan. We have shared perceptions on major global and regional issues that call for improved trade.

Ambassador Kakar said that current level of trade would be impressively improved by focusing on improving communication links to benefit people of both countries.