Increase in trade: Brazil envoy for removing communication gap

Brazilian Ambassador Claudio Lins has said that his country is keen to strengthen government to government level and private to private sector relations in the larger interest of both the countries. While talking to the LCCI Acting President Muhammad Nasir Hameed Khan here Friday, the ambassador said that Brazilian economy is on the rise therefore Pakistani businessmen should exploit the available opportunities to the maximum.
Pakistani businessmen should step into joint ventures in the fields of sports goods, instruments, food items, fertilisers, fruits & vegetables. Brazilian embassy in Pakistan is ready to facilitate the Pakistani businessmen in this regard, he said. He also called to remove the communication gap to give a quantum jump to the mutual trade.
Honorary Consul of Brazil Mian Hassan Mansha, Executive Committee Members Sheikh Muhammad Ibrahim, Mian Zahid Javed along with Tariq Mahmood and Zafar Mahmood were also present on the occasion. Brazil is one of the biggest economies of the world and one of the best places for business and investment. Despite having various commonalties and good diplomatic relations, trade volume between Brazil and Pakistan is meager, he said. Brazil is looking for new trade partners in Asia while Pakistani products are best and could easily make their way to the Brazilian market, he added.
Muhammad Nasir Hameed Khan said Pakistan is eager to strengthen ties with Brazil for the mutual benefit. The balance of trade has remained in favour of Brazil while rising gap between imports and exports is a matter of concern for us, he added. From 2013 to 2015, the two way trade surged from US$227 million to US$316 million. This increase took place due to constant rise in imports from Brazil to Pakistan which had gone up from US$140 million to US$$260 million in last three years. However, in contrast to that Pakistan exports fell from US$87 million to US$56 million. He said the private sector of Pakistan can definitely take advantage of exporting to Brazil various types of consumer goods like ready-made garments, fabrics, knitwear, towels, leather & leather products, pharmaceutical and surgical instruments.