ISLAMABAD: The Embassy of Pakistan in Buenos Aires in collaboration with the Pakistan-Argentina Chambers of Commerce and Banco Nacin de la Republica Argentina organized a seminar on ‘Business Opportunities in Pakistan’. The objective was to not only commemorate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Argentina but also to launch the Pakistan-Argentina Chambers of Commerce as well as encourage companies to participate in EXPO 2011 and the Multilateral Conference being organized by Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) and Pakistan-Japan Business Forum, in October this year, according to a message received here from Buenos Aires on Friday.
Secretary Ministry of Textile Industry Shahid Rashid, who was chief guest at the Seminar, speaking on the occasion gave an overview of Pakistan’s economy and highlighted cotton and textiles as Pakistan’s major exports and the Cotton Vision 2015 as well as the Textile Policy 2009-14.Recalling the Agreement on Agricultural Cooperation between Pakistan and Argentina, he suggested that bonds of collaboration and cooperation could be established between Central Cotton Research Institute (CCRI) Multan and its Argentine counterpart for conducting research and mutually beneficial high yielding seed varieties resistant to pests and diseases.
Ambassador Naela Chohan while thanking the Pakistan-Argentina Chambers of Commerce and Banco Nacin for their support in organizing this important Seminar, suggested that linkages between National Bank of Pakistan and Banco Nacin could be established, including exchange of banking training programme.She gave a power point presentation on Pakistan, its economic perspective and the incentive packages that the Government of Pakistan is offering to foreign investors.She highlighted the fact that according to World Bank Ease of Doing Business Index, Pakistan ranked 83 which was much better than India which ranked at 134 and Argentina at 115.She encouraged the participants to participate in Expo 2011 as well as the Multilateral Conference. The panel of speakers also included the President of Pakistan-Argentina Chambers of Commerce Alberto Morante.
With a view to project the “success stories”, representative of Bag-Ferozsons Biosciences, Rallys Pliauzer was invited to speak on their experience of doing business with Pakistan.The CEO of Arredo, the largest household linen company of Argentina, Sebastin Sassn, and the President of Armavir, a conglomerate of textile importing and retail supply companies, Juan Pablo Alonso spoke of the success of their business with Pakistan in importing textiles, bed linens and towels, as well as cotton and cotton yarn.
The panel discourses were followed by question-answer session which was interactive and the participants expressed keen interest in obtaining more information on rules and regulations, export infrastructure and trade regimes in Pakistan as well as the possibilities of enhancing trade in different sectors of mutual interest.It was a very successful event in which 100 companies were represented, including special representatives of the President of Argentina, the Governor of Santa Fe, Governor of Salta and Governor of San Luis. Publicity material on Pakistan’s exports; brochures on Expo 2011, Tourism and Participation Forms for Multilateral Conference were distributed amongst the participants. – APP
