Africa has immense potential for Pakistani exports: Farooq A. Khawaja - Press Release issued by Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Islamabad -- February 22, 2019 (PPI-OT)

Following is the text of press release issued by Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI)

Quote

Farooq A. Khawaja, Honorary Consul General of Rwanda said that Africa is billions dollars export market for Pakistan, which has been neglected so far and stressed that Pakistani exporters should accelerate efforts to tap this huge market of 1.25 billion people to enhance exports. He said that all Pakistani exportable products including pharmaceuticals, textiles, rice, sports goods and others have good demand in Africa.

He said that the current century is the century of Africa and many big economies of the world including USA, China, India, France and Turkey are enhancing their presence in Africa, but Pakistan is missing from the scene. He said that Pakistan is focusing on EU, Middle East and North America for trade and exports while Africa is the most lucrative market for it and Pakistan should give more focus to this big market. He said this while addressing business community at Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Farooq A. Khawaja said that China has 50 missions in Africa, India 48, but Pakistan has only 14 missions, which shows that Pakistan is not paying due attention to this region. He said China has invested $197 billion in Africa while India is the 5th largest investor in Africa, but Pakistan has ignored this region for trade and investment. He said with better efforts, Pakistan could increase $4-5 billion exports to Africa within years.

Highlighting the potential of Rwanda, he said that it has brought drastic economic reforms and is No.2 in Africa on ease of doing business. He said that 44 African countries had signed a free trade agreement last year paving way for a liberalized market for goods and services. Thus by exporting to Rwanda, Pakistan could get...