Five years multiple business visa will be granted to Pakistani Businessmen in near future, said Ambassador of Brazil Alfredo Leoni during a meeting with Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FCCI) office bearers and Business Community of Faisalabad, wherein a large number of exporters and industrialist were also present at the moment.
The meeting was aimed at promoting commercial ties between the two countries and disseminating a clear message that Brazil Embassy would extend all possible support and co-operation to the business community for doing business with Brazil. The ambassador said, "Brazil is the sixth largest economy as well as eighth biggest consumer market of the world. We want to boost bilateral trade ties with Pakistan. Brazil intends to help Pakistan to produce Ethanol fuel; developing health and agriculture sectors." Brazil had become a major international player, he added.
The ambassador mentioned that Brazil donated 1.2 million dollars to flood victims of Pakistan in 2010. "Brazil also promoted strategic relationship with Pakistan. Brazil believes that Pakistan has a huge potential, which needs to be explored." He stressed to work jointly for the betterment of trade relations.
Earlier in his welcome address, FCCI President Muzammil Sultan said that Faisalabad alone had been contributing about 40-50 percent of the total textile exports of the country during the last many years, adding there was tremendous trade potential between the two countries.
At present Pakistan was facing energy crisis and shortage of water resources, he said, adding: "We hope that government of Brazil will start joint-ventures with Pakistan in power generation and water conservation projects." He further added that Brazil was Pakistan's important trading partner but still bilateral trade volume was far below the potential and there was a wider scope of co-operation to enhance the bilateral trade.
In fiscal year 2010 bilateral trade stood at dollars 439.381 million in favour of Brazil. Brazil exported dollars 299.227 million worth of goods to Pakistan, while Pakistan's exports stood at dollars 70.077 million. He said, "There are vast prospects of expansion of bilateral trade including joint venture and transfer of technology from Brazil. On the wish of Brazilian Ambassador FCCI will send trade delegation in near future to meet the Brazilian counterparts."
During question answer session FCCI former president Khawaja Asem Khurshed, Chaudhry Asghar Ali, Chairman FCCI Standing Committee on Trade & Delegation, Chaudhry Jameel Ahmad, Zeeshan Omer, Haleem Akhtar Malik, Chaudhry Talat Mahmood and Engr Rizwan Ashraf also highlighted issues before the ambassador. At the end of meeting FCCI Vice President Rehan Naseem Bharara offered vote of thanks, whereby FCCI President Muzammil Sultan presented the FCCI memento to the Ambassador.