100-member FPCCI delegation to visit Uzbekistan

ISLAMABAD, June 15, 2011 (PPI): Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) has decided to take a 100-member delegation comprising leading industrialists and traders to Uzbekistan to boost trade and investment ties between two brotherly countries.

This decision was taken after a meeting between President FPCCI Senator Haji Ghulam Ali and Ambassador of the Republic of Uzbekistan to Pakistan Oybek Arif Usmanov at FPCCI Capital Office.

The delegation will represent business community of all four provinces, Gilgit Baltistan, Fata and Pata.

Deputy Head of Mission Asmatullah Fiazullah, Raza Khan, Chairman Coordination, FPCCI. Chairman Media Malik Sohail and others were also present on the occasion.

At the occasion, Ghulam Ali who is also Vice President Islamic Chamber of Commerce, said that he forging brotherly ties with all Muslim countries, especially Central Asian States is his mission.

He said that frictions will help nobody while cordial relations and enhanced trade ties will benefit everyone.

The Senator said that business community of two countries can benefit from each other in sectors like energy, textiles, leather, cotton, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, car and tractor manufacturing, cables, steel, railway, tourism, telecom, fertilizers, cargo transportation, transit, IT and public health engineering.

He said that Pakistan is trying to overcome energy shortages and we should seek access to surplus central Asian electricity.

Mr. Usmanov informed said that Uzbekistan is already providing power to Afghanistan and they are happy with it adding that we can provide 800 mv of electricity to Pakistan via Peshawar on very reasonable rates.

The ambassador said that they are looking forward for enhanced exchange of business delegation and increased cooperation.

Uzbekistan is the world's second largest cotton exporter and sixth largest cotton producer, it can share expertise on insect-resistant cotton and anti-cotton virus technology, said Usmanov.

This visit will be an opportunity to improve friendly relations in diverse fields including economics, the envoy said.

The diplomats lauded the efforts of President FPCCI Senator Haji Ghulam Ali to promote regional and international trade and hoped that his cause will go a long way in improving the economy of Pakistan.