Australian diplomat for increasing bilateral trade

LAHORE: Australian High Commissioner Margaret Adamson has said that all efforts would be made to enhance bilateral trade.
She was talking to Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) President Sheikh Muhammad Arshad and Vice President Nasir Saeed at the LCCI on Friday.
Australian High Commissioner informed the house that she had a meeting with the officials of Australian Cricket Board and discussed the matter of Australia-Pakistan cricket relations.
She underlined the need for boosting trade relations between Australia and Pakistan as the meagre volume of bilateral business does not reflect the cordial ties between the two countries.
She said that power generation, agriculture, livestock, sports goods, information technology, health and education are the key sectors wherein Pakistani businessmen can take advantage of Australian technological advancements to play their role in the economic turnaround of the country.
She said that Pakistan could avail Australian expertise in vocational training as Australian Vocational Training Modules. She also stressed the need for frequent exchange of business-related delegations so that both the sides could have first-hand knowledge of the available opportunities. She said that Pakistani goods have a very huge potential in the Australian market.
LCCI President Sheikh Muhammad Arshad said that the scenario in Pakistan is not as bad as being portrayed by the international media. It has become the “safest zone” because of joint efforts of the government and armed forces.
The LCCI president said that Pakistan is blessed with extensive natural resources, including oil and natural gas reserves, the fourth-largest coal reserves in the world and potential for hydropower, Pakistan offers marvellous opportunities to Australian businessmen.
Sheikh Muhammad Arshad said there are prospects for growth in trade and investment particularly in the field of agribusiness, education, mining for oil and gas exploration, IT and communications and development of processed foods etc. He said that Pakistan is an agro-based economy but unfortunately, most of the excess agriculture produce wasted due to lack of post harvest technology. He said that Pakistan is striving hard to strengthen its agro-based and dairy industry. In this regard, the professional expertise of Australian agro-based industrial sector could be very helpful. He said that there is a vast scope of investment in horticulture, cattle and sheep breeding, processing, canning, packing, and preservation of fresh fruits and vegetables.