Pakistan and Malaysia to Form Joint Business Council

Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry(FPCCI) and National Chamber of  Commerce and Industry of Malaysia(NCCIM) are actively pursing formation of Joint Business Council(JBC) of Pakistan and Malaysia to bridge private businesses through the Chambers of Commerce, says a Press Release received here today.The decision to activate the formation of JBC was made after a meeting held recently between High Commissioner for Pakistan in Malaysia, Lt. General (Retd) Tahir Mahmud Qazi and Executive Director of NCCIM Syed Hussain Al Habshee.The High Commissioner in a statement issued today said that a Memorandum of Understanding(MOU) was signed between the Malaysia and Pakistan on 6th of May, 2005 for formation of JBC, but only recently implementation on MoU has been activated.Mr. Tahir Qazi said that the purpose of JBC is to foster friendship and understanding promote trade and  investment, facilitate transfer of technology and strengthen cooperation in services  and other sectors of economic activities between the business communities of Malaysia and Pakistan.The High Commissioner said that as a first step Business Councils are being setup by the FPCCI and NCCIM respectively composed of private sector businessman, and will work in closest collaboration and cooperation in order to achieve free exchange of information regarding trade, economic cooperation and services between the two countries.The Commercial Counselor for Pakistan Mr. Wajiullah Kundi said that Pakistan High Commission is in advance stage of facilitating negotiation between FPCCI and NCCIM, and in this regard progress has been made to expedite appointment of  Chairmen of both the councils, and once the Chairmen are appointed, the Business Councils will be activated in the respective countries to pave the way for formation of Joint Business Council.

Foire de Paris

Six Pakistani companies participated in one of the largest international exhibition organized in Paris called, “Foire de Paris” from 30th April, - 10th May, 2009. Five companies represented by women entrepreneurs, including three from South Punjab Women Chamber of Commerce, Multan, participated through Trade Development Authority of Pakistan while one company participated independently.

Pakistani exhibitors displayed various traditional Pakistani products including hand embroided fabrics, dresses, jewellery, articles of onyx and marble and accessories. Mrs. Aneela Iftikhar exhibited fabric, dresses, Moroccan Kaftans, tunics, ponchos, scarfs and shawls with traditional Multani hand work. Mrs. Shireen Khan displayed jewellery, gold and silver studded with pearls and embroided women garments. Mrs. Zahra Jabeen sold traditional embroidery of D.G.Khan. Mrs.Rabia Shahid and Mrs.Tahira Naseem brought attractive hand made articles of home décor. Mrs. Khushnood and Mr.Amjad Mahmood presented traditional Pakistani dresses including bridal wear.

The well organized and beautifully displayed Pakistani products remained the focus of attention of the clients. The participants were happy with the response of the buyers. Not only the exhibitors were able to sell their products in good numbers but some of them also received orders from French buyers.

The exhibition is organized every year since 1923 which welcomes well over half a million visitors from all over France and other parts of the world and exhibits over 3000 brands. It is divided into three categories, House & Environment, Well Being and Leisure and Cultures of the World.

The Deputy Head of the Mission alongwith Commercial Counsellor visited the Pakistani pavilion and appreciated the Pakistan women entrepreneurs in their efforts to promote Pakistan’s exports.

Asia pacific foregin trade bridge

TURKEY-ASIA PACIFIC FOREIGN TRADE BRIDGE II TO BOOST TRADE WITH ASIA – PACIFIC REGION – MUHAMMAD IJAZ ABBASI

H.E.MR.ABDULLAH GUL, PRESIDENT OF TURKEY CONVEYS MESSAGE OF BEST WISHES TO PRESIDENT AND PM OF PAKISTAN

Islamabad (NNA) Turkey – Asia Pacific Foreign Trade Bridge II at Istanbul was a spectacular event to boost partnerships and business relationships between Turkey and the Asia Pacific region, this was stated by Muhammad Ijaz Abbasi, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry on returning from Turkey after attending the event. The event was organized by the Turkish Confederation of Businessmen and Industrialists (TUSKON) and supported by Turkey's Foreign Trade Undersecretariat and Ministry of Foreign Affairs that attracted a record number of participants from Asia-Pacific countries as well as Turkish businessmen.

President Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry representing Pakistan and delivering a speech at the inaugural session of the of Turkey-Asia Pacific Foreign Trade Bridge II thanked President of Turkey and TUSKON for inviting him for this very important networking event. He said that Pakistan and Turkey have close trade and economic relations, and organization of such event help in further strengthening the trade and economic ties between the two countries. President further said that Pakistan is a big country of 160 million people and offers great business opportunities to foreign investors. He informed the participants of the event that already many foreign investors are reaping phenomenal returns on their investment in telecommunication, energy, construction and banking sectors and invited businessmen of Asia Pacific countries to take advantage of Pakistan's attractive investment potential by bringing in their capital and technology in the country.

Muhammad Ijaz Abbasi, along with group of Ministers of Asia Pacific countries, also called on the Turkish President H.E. Abdullah Gull at Ankara on his special invitation and thanked him for organizing such a spectacular and successful gathering of distinguished businessmen and diplomats of Asia Pacific region by his country to exchange views to enhance mutual trade relations. President of ICCI said that H.E.Mr. Abdullah Gull, President of Turkey also conveyed his message of good wishes to the President and Prime Minister of Pakistan and said that Turkey feels proud on his excellent and historical relations with Pakistan. Taking advantage of this opportunity, Muhammad Ijaz Abbasi also invited President of Turkey to visit Pakistan President. Ijaz Abassi said that Pakistan and Turkey enjoy historical, time tested and brotherly close relations and thanked the Turkish President for his country's help given to Pakistan during earthquake tragedy and in education sector. President ICCI informed that 60 businessmen from Pakistan participated in the event and said that such platforms help improve trade ties among the countries of the Asia-Pacific region, which have an average annual growth rate of 7 percent. President ICCI said that 465 businessmen from 22 countries of the Asia Pacific region along with 1200 businessmen from Turkey participated in the event that provided an excellent occasion to explore potential business opportunities in Turkey and Asia Pacific region to seek joint business projects.

He said that the axis of the world economy is now shifting from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and this provides great opportunity to countries of Asia Pacific region including Pakistan to increase their trade prospects by exploring further business potential in Asia Pacific region so that they could take advantage out of this shift if they work hard.

President said that the event provided an excellent opportunity to sign business agreements with African, Eurasian and Asia-Pacific countries and it has greatly helped improve diplomatic and cultural relations with a number of countries in these regions. He further said that Turkey-Asia Pacific Foreign Trade Bridge II forum will mark the growing business relations between Asia-Pacific countries and Turkey.