ISLAMABAD : August 24,2023: Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) chairman coordination capital Office and spokesman of Businessmen Panel met with caretaker Foreign Minister, Jalil Abbas Jilani, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday,
FPCCI office bearer said the issues including promotion of investment in the country, border trade, access of Pakistani products to global markets, increase in exports, and activation of Pakistani commercial attachés’ book were discussed in the meeting .
Talking to Mirza Abdul Rehman, the caretaker Foreign minister said the provision of facilities to the business community and the resolution of their issues was among the top priorities of the government. He said the government is taking steps for the creation of a business-friendly environment in the country. The caretaker Foreign minister added that the business community plays an important role in the national economy. There are vast investment opportunities and a favorable environment in Pakistan and the steps are being taken to promote investment.
Jalil Abbas Jilani said he would pursue close political & trade relationships with all major powers including the US, China, and European Union (EU), better ties with India, and further cement cooperation with the Gulf region. He argued that Pakistan always wanted better ties with its eastern neighbor. He emphasized the importance of maintaining close relationships with the Gulf countries including Saudi Arabia and UAE. The army-led economic revival plan was dependent on investment from these two Gulf countries. He said Pakistan is eyeing billions of dollars in investment from Saudi Arabia and UAE to address its chronic economic challenges including the current account issues that often compelled the country to seek IMF bailouts. He highlighted the importance of Pakistan’s relationship with the European Union (EU). He said EU was Pakistan’s major trading partner and Pakistan was benefiting from the GSP plus scheme. Jilani said he would want to seek closer ties with the 27-nation bloc.
Mirza Abdul Rehman while congratulating Jalil Abbas Jilani on becoming the caretaker Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs said appointing an experienced person like him is a good move. He hoped that Jalil Abbas Jilani enhances bilateral cooperation in trade,
investment, climate change, and people-to-people contacts to further deepen friendship with other countries.
Mirza Abdul Rehman said over the decades, countries around the world have started adopting their models of economic diplomacy, which aim to regulate the interaction of foreign policy with economic interests. The economy is of primary importance in today’s world politics. Economically stable countries are important in foreign policy or power politics in the world. The tragedy of Pakistan’s politics is that both its internal and external fronts have been suffering from many kinds of problems and contradictions.
Mirza Abdul Rehman while presenting various suggestions regarding the improvement of the Pakistani economy and increase in exports said that the introduction of Pakistani products outlets of Pakistani retail sectors should be opened in different Countries and instructions should be given to Pakistani embassies to take steps to promote investment in various sectors including medicine, tourism, information technology, agriculture. He urged that the appointment and deployment of commercial attachés should be on merit and related sectors and in the experiment and the approval of FPCCI and they should be given special targets to achieve within the specified time. Special display centers for Pakistani products should be established in Pakistani embassies. High-level trade delegations and single-country exhibitions should be ensured to boost trade. In this regard, appropriate guidance should be obtained from FPCCI,