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FAISALABAD, Sep 18 (APP):Madam Mary Nyambura Kamau, the high commissioner of Kenya, emphasized the need to strengthen bilateral trade relations between Pakistan and her country to unlock their full potential.
She was speaking to the business community at the Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FCCI) on Monday.
Madam Kamau referred to Faisalabad as a land of opportunities and highlighted the robust and friendly bilateral relations between Kenya and Pakistan, primarily centered around trade and investment. She underscored the pivotal role that chambers like the FCCI play in connecting business communities and fostering strong bilateral trade ties.
Madam Kamau commended the FCCI for its efforts to enhance its economic significance and pledged full support from the Kenyan High Commission to facilitate connections between the FCCI members and reliable importers and exporters in Kenya.
She expressed the mission’s commitment to furthering realisation of trade and investment potential through collaboration with relevant stakeholders in both the government and private sectors. She suggested the development of dynamic mechanisms to address trade and investment barriers and encouraged the organisation of joint business networking meetings, seminars, conferences, exhibitions, trade fairs, and other promotional activities.
In response to a question, Madam Kamau assured that Kenya maintains a satisfactory law and order situation, providing a safe entry point for Pakistani investors seeking opportunities in neighboring countries.
Dr. Khurram Tariq, president of the FCCI, welcomed the high commissioner and attendees and provided historical context to Faisalabad’s development. Highlighting the economic significance of Faisalabad to Pakistan, he noted that approximately 35% of Pakistan’s GDP originates from this region, contributing significantly, around 60-80%, to the country’s total export revenue. He stressed that the FCCI served as a gateway to opportunities within the textile and apparel manufacturing sectors and acknowledged various initiatives aimed at boosting trade, investment, and economic cooperation between the two countries. However, he emphasised that there is still untapped potential to be explored. He highlighted the city’s transformation into the third-largest industrial, commercial, and business hub in Pakistan, with a thriving textile sector recognized globally as the textile capital of the country.
Dr. Tariq described the FCCI as the third-largest chamber in Pakistan, representing 8,300 members from 118 sectors and sub-sectors of the economy. He emphasized FCCI’s role in business advocacy and policy formulation to safeguard the interests of the business community. He also noted the development of a substantial industrial estate in Faisalabad, offering opportunities for both local and foreign investors.
Regarding bilateral trade, Dr. Tariq mentioned that it currently favours Kenya due to Pakistan’s substantial expenditure on tea imports from that country. He emphasised the importance of leveraging the “Look Africa” policy and exploring opportunities in emerging non-traditional markets.
Dr. Tariq also highlighted the positive impact of NADRA’s digitization efforts on the economy, law and order, and governance.
The question-and-answer session featured participation of Mian Muhammad Latif, Azhar Chaudhry, Mian Tayyab, and other members.
Dr. Khurram Tariq presented a memento from the FCCI to Madam Mary Nyambura Kamau, and she reciprocated with a valuable gift of Kenyan tea, recording her impressions in the FCCI visitor’s book.
Ms. Eschor J. Lelei, Second Counsellor, Ms. Uzma Umar, Vice President of the Pak-Kenya Business Council, and other staff from the Kenyan High Commission were also in attendance.