Pakistan trade caravan makes final stopover at Dushanbe

KARACHI: Pakistan trade caravan made its final stopover at Dushanbe, Tajikistan on Tuesday, a statement said.

A large number of visitors witnessed Pakistani products, a statement issued by the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) said.

The Trade Caravan is a new brand initiated by the TDAP to make strategic trade inroads into Central Asia.

The significance of Dushanbe exhibition was showcasing Pakistan mangoes. Over three tons of mangoes had been brought to Dushanbe by Pakistani mango exporters. These had been prepared into various drinks and deserts for the consumption of the visitors, it said.

Earlier, the inauguration of the Trade Caravan was held and besides Ambassador of Pakistan and Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Tajikistan Chamber and Deputy Ministers attended the ceremony.

Trade Development Authority of Pakistan Secretary Rabiya Javeri Agha said that the caravan comes at an opportune time.

“The launching of the Eurasian Economic Union has created opportunity for Pakistani goods to enter through Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan and move freely into Russia, Belarus and Armenia, she said, adding that this provides Pakistan a chance to capitalise on a market of over 180 million people.

"Pakistan has strong trade relations with Tajikistan, especially in textiles, garments and agro-based products. It is time we take economic advantage of this," Javeri said.

At the opening of the Trade Caravan event, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Tajikistan Tariq Soomro highlighted the potential between the two countries.

He explained the government initiatives such as China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and CASA1000 that were opening roads of greater people-to-people connectivity.

Adil Khan Miankhel, Commercial Councilor of Almaty, spoke on the nontariff issues and visa regime that needs to be facilitated and expedited in the interest of greater people-to-people contact.

At the show, the chairman and deputy chairman of the Tajikistan Chamber welcomed the Pakistani guests and appreciated the efforts of the Pakistan exhibitors and 40 companies that are accompanying TDAP.

They said that with the opening of Somon Airways biweekly flights from Lahore to Dushanbe will result in greater interaction and tourism would be developed between the two countries.

Deputy ministers of Tajikistan Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations were also present.

The Trade Caravan had already crossed from Almaty, Kazakhstan through Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, receiving overwhelming response at each station.

Traditionally, Pakistan has been trading in Kinno in Central Asia, but the opening of Somon Airlines creates greater business openings in fruits, vegetables and meat preparations.

Furthermore, the long-awaited opening of the Chinese Trade corridor, after realignment of the KKH at Attabad paves the way for unhindered trucking trade into Central Asia.

The Trade Caravan is just the beginning, but hopefully it will pave the way for greater regional trade and national prosperity in the future, the statement added.