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Philippines agrees to waive police verification for KCCI members

By our correspondents
November 23, 2017
KARACHI: Ambassador of Philippines in Pakistan Daniel Ramos Espiritu has agreed to waive the condition to submit police verification certificate for the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) members, a statement said on Wednesday.
The members will now be issued Filipino visa upon submission of KCCI’s visa recommendation letter, which would surely help pave the way for enhanced trade between the two countries, it added.
Speaking at a meeting during his visit to the KCCI, the Filipino ambassador stressed the two countries need to work together in order to develop their economies and provide better income to their people.
“Opportunities exist where we can collaborate to enhance trade and businesses between the two countries,” he added.
Espiritu also highlighted Pakistan’s and Philippines close and cordial ties since the establishment of the bilateral relations between in 1949, which were evident in the high-level exchanges and agreements signed.
He said: “Pakistan is a land of peaceful and friendly people who are the friendliest people of the world.”
He assured the realities about Pakistan will be shared with the Filipino business community so that maximum number of businessmen and industrialists from his country could visit Pakistan to explore opportunities.
Expressing concern over meager trade volume between Pakistan and Philippines, he said this is mainly due to the fact that people of the two countries are not much aware of the immense opportunities available in Philippines for Pakistanis and for Filipinos in Pakistan.
“Hence, we have to enlighten people about the trade and investment opportunities in both the countries,” he added. Referring to the KCCI’s My Karachi Exhibition, the ambassador assured to disseminate information about the exhibition among the Filipino business community and look into the possibility of setting up a special pavilion of Philippines at the exhibition, scheduled to be held in April 2018.
Businessmen Group Vice Chairman and KCCI former president Anjum Nisar said: “Keeping in view the huge membership base of Karachi Chamber, if Filipino embassy seriously focuses on the KCCI’s members only, it will surely result in boosting the existing trade volume and all targets, set in this regard, will be achieved easily.” KCCI Senior Vice President Abdul Basit Abdul Razzak, in his address of welcome, said that Karachi, being the economic and financial hub of Pakistan, offers profitable investment opportunities and offered facilities for investment and joint ventures to the Filipino businessmen and industrialists.
“With improved law and order situation, this city, which contributes more than 65 percent revenue to the national exchequer, is an attractive place for foreign investors, who can surely earn maximum profits by setting up their businesses or they can also go for joint ventures,” he added.