Effective ease of doing business can help grow Pakistan's trade relations with GCC.

Byline: Khalil Ahmed

Could you give your views on the prospects of trade between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and Pakistan?

Syed Muslim Hasany: Pakistan and the GCC countries have always had very warm relations connected with religion, culture and tradition for centuries. Pakistan government always does its best to enhance the trade with the GCC countries. Pakistan can offer a lot in agriculture, textile, minerals, carpets, handmade products, food, sports, etc. Further, Pakistan provides a vast majority of skilled workforce to the GCC countries. The GCC countries mostly offer petroleum products. Currently, though trade imbalance is in favor of the GCC countries, Pakistan's economy is getting benefit in terms of value and investment. However, Pakistan government is trying its best to enhance product quality, competitiveness and reasonable pricing, which would make it easy to further increase trade between Pakistan and the GCC countries.

PAGE: Kindly share your views on the foreign direct investment from the GCC countries to Pakistan:

Syed Muslim Hasany: The GCC countries are endeavoring to diversify their investment portfolio and it is the time when Pakistan government should approach them for financially viable projects. Saudi Arabia has already showed its intention to invest heavily in oil sector and setting up refinery at Gwadar. Other countries in the GCC may increase their portfolio in Pakistan in the coming...