Brazilian envoy for enhancing trade volume with Pakistan

SIALKOT: Ambassador of Brazil to Pakistan Claudio Raja has said that bilateral trade ties between Brazil and Pakistan are contrary to their seven decades old warm, healthy and cordial diplomatic and political relations.

He was addressing the industrialists and exporters at the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) here on Monday. Claudio Raja further added that the current volume of bilateral trade stands at US$660 million annually which is far below the actual huge potential of both the nations.

He said he would take all necessary measures, under his power, to try and achieve the target of enhanced volume of bilateral trade. He said the stakeholders of both the countries should find out new ways and techniques to improve bilateral trade.

He opined that Brazil and Pakistan could be proved as a hub for one another to achieve big trade opportunities in the vast markets of South America and central Asia. He urged upon the investors of Brazil to come forward and invest in various sectors in Pakistan as it is in the common interest of both the countries. He invited local industrialists to come and try to explore vast markets of Brazil and rest of South America for their top quality products.

He assured the industrialists of giving friendly consideration on their visa applications. Claudio said that in order to boost bilateral trade, Pakistan-Brazil Business Council would be formed which would ultimately become the Pakistan-Brazil Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He said close relations with the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) would also be established in this connection.

“For trade links, Brazil and Pakistan honorary councils had been appointed in Karachi, Peshawar and Lahore,” he added. He promised that an honorary council would also be appointed in Sialkot soon if there are no objections from the local authorities. Terming the great Muslim poet and philosopher Dr Allama Iqbal as the son of Sialkot, he said if (Iqbal) was alive, he would certainly be proud of the people of Sialkot for their unique skill and talent in manufacturing a variety of top quality goods to earn fame and honour all across the world.

Earlier, Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Zahid Latif Malik told that Brazil was the first nation from South America to form diplomatic ties with Pakistan. He said that the bilateral trade between Pakistan and Brazil was confined to a few traditional products and it badly needed diversification.

He stressed for excessive exchange of trade delegations and holding of trade fares on regular basis for the promotion of bilateral trade. The wife of the Brazilian envoy, SCCI senior vice-president Ch Abdul Waheed, vice-president Khawaja Abid and general secretary Tariq Mehmood Malik and others were also present on the occasion.