‘Pakistan, Canada economic relations to be strengthened’

-Rathore says expatriates will be supported, convinced to invest in Pakistan

By Asad Cheema

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s High Commissioner-designate to Canada Ameer Khurram Rathore has said that it will be his top priority to promote trade relations between Pakistan and Canada and to boost exports in line with the policy of the government.
“Pakistan and Canada enjoy good bilateral relations which will be further strengthened to increase the volume of trade and commerce between both the countries,” he said. Talking to the President of Pakistan Chapter of US-Pakistan International Chamber of Commerce (USPICC) Muhammad Ahmed and Secretary-General Malik Sohail Hussain who called him on Monday, Ameer Khurram Rathore said the private sector of both the friendly countries were playing a good role in driving the trade and investment ties and the volume of trade will grow after the travel restrictions are eased.
Canadian investors will be asked to avail the opportunity as Pakistan is a growing market in which there is no restraint on repatriation of dividends for the foreign investors, he added. The High Commissioner-designate to Canada said that Canadian businessmen could benefit from Pakistan’s geostrategic position and use it as a hub for the manufacturing their products to be further sent to Central Asia and other parts in the region. Ameer Khurram Rathore said that he will be developing the synergy between the chambers and trade bodies of the two countries to exploit the full potential of the economic opportunities. The High Commission will work with the Canadian chambers and trade bodies to develop a partnership with their Pakistani counterparts to explore avenues of cooperation that will enhance trade relations, he maintained.
“I will fully support implementable plans for business development, for the benefit of Pakistani and Canadian businesses,” he underlined. The High Commissioner-designate to Canada said that he will try his best to serve the Pakistani expatriates living in Canada, resolve their problems and convince them to launch investment and development initiatives in Pakistan and to invest heavily in Roshan Digital Accounts introduced by State Bank of Pakistan which is a success story.
Speaking on the occasion, Muhammad Ahmed who is also immediate past president of ICCI and Malik Sohail Hussain who has served as SVP ICCI apprised the High Commissioner-designate about the activities of USPICC and offered full assistance for his cause.