Promoting economic co-operation: Saarc CCI, FPCCI sign MoU with PBC in Dubai

The Saarc Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Saarc CCI) and the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCC1) have signed MoU with Pakistan Business Council (PBC) in Dubai to further promote economic co-operation between enterprises in UAE and South Asian countries, including Pakistan.
According to an announcement of the FPCCI made here on Monday, former President Tariq Sayeed on behalf of FPCCI, while Tahir Hussain Schon, President on behalf of PBC signed MoU in a prestigious gathering organised by PBC in capital Club in Duabi. Secretary General Saarc CCI Iqbal Tabish signed MoU to strengthen liaison between Secretariat of Saarc CCI and PBC.
Under the MoU, PCB has offered FPCCI to establish FPCCI liaison office in Dubai. The both sides shall take compatible measures to encourage and promote economic co-operation, exchange information, dispatch business delegates and take proactive measures to facilitate businessmen in Pakistan and Pakistani enterprises in UAE.
"Dubai is an important commercial hub, which has been playing an important role in global trade and economy and serves as a gateway to connect Asia, with Gulf and the World. The presence of multinational companies in Dubai offer tremendous opportunities for Pakistani businessmen for Joint ventures and investment in mutually interested areas," said Tariq Sayeed in his key note speech at the occasion and said that FPPCI liaison office in Dubai will help promote business relations and safeguard the interests of Pakistani enterprises in UAE and particularly focus on attracting FDI in Pakistan from UAE.
Iqbal Tabish in his presentation briefed the South Asian business community based in Dubai about role, functions and contribution of Saarc-CCI for promoting economic co-operation in South Asia and added that the role of South Asian Business community was vital in terms of their contribution for creating employment opportunities and earning foreign exchange for their respective countries.
Saarc-Chamber would sign similar MOUs with Afghanistan, Indian, Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan business Council operating in UAE while aiming institutional arrangements and collaborations to further promote economic co-operation amongst South Asia national through South Asian enterprises in UAE. Presently trade between South Asian countries and UAE is about $25 billion, which is less than 5 percent of the total trade of South Asian countries to the rest of the World.
While presenting the activities of PBC Dubai, President Tahir H Schon said that his Council was ready to extend all possible co-operation to facilitate South Asian and particularly Pakistani Enterprises for exploring business opportunities in potential market of UAE. The signing ceremony was attended by Vice President of PBC Nasir A Mehmood, and Executive members including Tahir A Lakhani, Tanvir Khawaja, Mumthaz Muslim etc and representatives from India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh Business Councils.