Minister of State for Commerce Hamid Yar Hiraj has said that the private sector has to play its due role to promote trade between Pakistan and Thailand. Speaking at a seminar on "Pakistan-Thailand Economic Relations: Potential and Barriers", organised by the Thai Consulate in collaboration with the Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) at a local hotel on Saturday, he said that both the government want to increase trade volume.
The minister said that during the visit of Shaukat Aziz to Thailand both the prime ministers talked on all aspects for increasing trade activities and added that there were many opportunities in many fields and sectors for investment and to start joint ventures in both the countries.
Both the countries want to sign free trade agreement and the high officials of both sides have talked many times in this regard, he said, adding however "we should start free trade in specific four to five items until the FTA was signed."
The import and export of Halal food, warm clothing and lobster could be started initially, Hiraj was of the view.
Thailand Ambassador Pisanu Chanvitan in his speech said that Pakistan has very beautiful places to attract tourists from all over the world. "Thailand has very good experience in tourism sector and it could help Pakistan to promote this industry."
SITE Association chairman Mirza Ikhtiar Baig said that there is lake of awareness in Pakistan and Thailand, as there are so many opportunities to invest in different sectors in both the countries, but the business community from both sides is not aware about it.
He said that ratio of return in Pakistan is much higher than the other countries. "We should create awareness regarding opportunities and potential in trade on both sides", Ikhtiar Baig said, adding that the exchange of delegations could be helpful for this purpose. However, the Site Association chairman said delegations should be designated for different sectors.
He said that the trade between Pakistan and Thailand is only $333 million and it is in favour of Thailand, as Pakistani imports from Thailand are $269 million while exports are only of $64 million.
Thailand Board of Trade Director Anirut Smuthkochon said that both the countries should sign free trade agreement and there are so many chances to increase trade between them.
Thailand could export quality Halal foods to Pakistan on large scale, he said, adding: "Pakistan could become gateway for Thailand to other Islamic countries in Halal foods export."
FPCCI secretary general Dr Khalid Amin also spoke on the occasion while the Secretary General of Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry Aqeel Al Jasim, Consul Generals of Thailand, Bangladesh and China, President of Emerging Trade Partner Forum Mian Muhammad Waseem Vohra and a large number of personalities from business community attended the seminar.
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