"Argentina could provide technical and all other kinds of assistance to Pakistan to link gas reservoirs of newly explored ones, the issue of gas shortage should be tackled with a comprehensive planning", Rodolfo J Martin Saravia, Ambassador of Argentina in Pakistan said, while addressing the business community at Islamabad chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) on Friday.

He said that Pakistan Agriculture Research Council has signed an MoU with Argentina for the transfer of technology. Some other MoUs were also signed with Pakistani companies for mango preservation, harvesting, processing, packing and grading.

Speaking on the occasion, Eduardo Bustamante, Commercial Counsellor of Argentina said that his country has started joint ventures with Pakistani Pharmaceutical Company to produce Cancer, Hepatitis B and C treatment medicines in Pakistan.

He further said that Argentina was a leading country in the use of compressed natural gas (CNG) and Pakistan was already importing CNG equipment from Argentina, adding that agriculture, alternative energies, pharmaceutics and CNG Buses for passengers could serve as key sectors for starting joint venture.

In his welcome address, Mahfooz Elahi, President of ICCI said that Pakistan is a peaceful nation and regretted on the role of international media that portrays a negative image about Pakistan, resulting in reluctant attitude of foreign buyers and investors to do business here.

He suggested that for increasing bilateral trade people to people contacts needs to be enhanced. Participation in trade fairs and catalogue exhibitions could provide excellent business opportunities and also to understand each other markets, he added.

The ICCI President said that youth forums of Pakistan and Argentina should be connected to learn from each other experience that would ultimately open the window of business opportunities.