(MENAFN- The Peninsula) By Satish Kanady / The Peninsula
DOHA: The post-blockade period witnessed a quantum jump in Pakistan's exports to Qatar. The country's export value increased 64.49 percent during the seven months ended January 2018, according to data released by Pakistan Embassy on the occasion of Pakistan-Qatar Business & Investment Conference held here yesterday.
Addressing the high-level forum, Shahzad Ahmad, Pakistan's Ambassador to Qatar, said Pakistan sees significant business opportunities in Qatar. Pakistani businesses are seeking to enhance their exports to Qatar as Qatari businesses seek new partners and adjust their supply chains to the new realities in the region.
Pakistan is in a unique position in the region being a food-surplus country enjoying long-standing and close bilateral relations with Qatar. Its transit shipping time of just under 4 days places it at a competitive advantage vis-à-vis most other countries outside the GCC.
'We also have had some success in convincing Qatari authorities to commence direct shipping link with Pakistan and since August we have two separate shipping lines which are providing logistic services from Karachi port to Hamad Port. Qatar Airways also continues to strengthen its air operations to Pakistan, the envoy said.
Deepening trade ties with Pakistan aligns with the current policy of Qatar to enhance its food security.
Besides food and related products, Pakistan also has much to offer to Qatar due to its large industrial manufacturing base that includes textiles, pharmaceuticals, technology including software development and electronics manufacturing, chemical manufacturing and construction industry. Besides, with a large consumer base of more than 200 million, Pakistan's stock market and its hospitality and retail sectors, offer potential investors highly attractive returns.
Later, talking to the media, the ambassador said Pakistan is keen on attracting Qatari investments in the coutnry's fast growing sectors likee food processing, agriculture, real estate and tourism sector. Domestic tourism in the country has expanded many folds, he said.
On bilateral trade, Shahzad said the country is looking at sectors where it is competitive. 'We are interested in food, agriculture, textile industry, leather and chemical industries..we will focus on the sectors where we can have an added advantage…..
In his presentation, Salman Ali, Commercial Secretary, Embassy of Pakistan, Qatar said two shipping lines had been operating between Karachi and Hamad Port since August-September 2017.
The post-blockade also witnessed several Pakistani products hitting Qatari markets. They include Menu Frozen Food, Olpers UHT Milk, Cream and Ghee; Biscuits & Candies, Packaging materials, Ketchup & Juices; Steel piping products and Electrical cables.
Zahid Latif Khan, President of Pakistan's reputed Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry said Pakistan is a fast developing market with a young and growing population of around20.8million. The growing inspirational middleclass has an appetite for creative, innovative and high quality goods and services. Over 120 British businesses are currently doing business in Pakistan, he said.
MENAFN2802201800630000ID1096532570
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.