ISLAMABAD: The Belarusian ambassador Dr. Andrei M Ermolovich said that a large business delegation of Belarus will visit Pakistan in the first week of November this year to attend the Pakistan Investment Conference and to explore investment opportunities in areas of interest. He said this during visit to Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
He said Belarus was keen to strengthen trade relations with Pakistan as both countries possessed good potential to enhance bilateral cooperation in various fields including automobile, agriculture, energy, IT, steel, furniture, household equipment, textiles, meat, dairy and others areas. He said Belarus was one of the most industrialized countries in the heart of Europe and Pakistan could achieve beneficial results for its economy by enhancing trade and economic relations with Belarus.
He said Belarus has signed a customs union agreement with Russia and Kazakhstan and Pakistani exporters could get easy access to Eastern Europe and Russian Federation by promoting trade with Belarus. He said ICCI should organize a trade delegation for Belarus to explore business prospects and assured that his Embassy would facilitate its visit.
Speaking on the occasion, Atif Ikram Sheikh, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that bilateral trade between Pakistan and Belarus was far below the real potential. He said Pakistan and Belarus should facilitate frequent interactions between their private sectors to explore new avenues of mutual cooperation. He said both countries should establish direct air links to facilitate trade. He said ICCI intended to organize a single country exhibition in Belarus to show potential of Pakistani products and added that Belarusian Embassy should extend full assistance to make it successful event.
Sheikh Pervez Ahmed senior vice president and Sheikh Abdul Waheed vice president, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that Belarus should share its advanced technology and expertise with Pakistan in the field of agriculture, energy, mining, transport, pharmaceuticals and other technical areas. They said Pakistan offered lucrative incentives to foreign investors and Belarusian investors should explore investment and joint ventures in Pakistan.
It was agreed that Belarus business delegation will also visit ICCI and hold B2B meetings with local businessmen to explore business matchmakings. It was also stressed that Islamabad and Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry should sign MoU to promote mutually advantageous commercial and industrial interests between the two countries.