Federal Minister for Commerce and Investments Syed Naveed Qamar said that Pakistan desired strong business ties with Zimbabwe to enhance trade, connectivity and mutually beneficial partnership. Talking to Non-Resident Ambassador of Zimbabwe Lt Gen (Retd) Martin Chedondo, who called on him at his office, he stressed enhancing bilateral trade volume to its fullest potential. 

Naveed Qamar expressed the government's desire to enhance cooperation in the corporate sector, especially in the fields of agriculture, pharmaceutical and machinery. He said that Zimbabwe being a member of the South African Development Community (SADC) could play a vital role in the upcoming third Pakistan-Africa Trade Development Conference & Single Country Exhibition, scheduled to be held from November 29 to December 1, 2022, in Johannesburg, South Africa.  

The minister expressed the hope that the business community from Zimbabwe would actively participate in the exhibition which ultimately would be a step forward in exchanging business delegations and establishment of joint working groups on trade and trade agreements. Martin Chedondo said that bilateral trade between the two countries was constantly increasing but the volume of trade did not commensurate with the actual potential. 

He urged the need to enhance interactions between the business communities as well as the chambers of commerce and industry of the two countries to fully achieve the potential of bilateral trade volume. He said that Pakistan and Zimbabwe's enjoyed historical relationships based on mutual respect. Pakistan, he added, always stood with Zimbabwe since it gained official independence in 1980. 

The ambassador assured his full support for the upcoming exhibition in Johannesburg and agreed upon the exchange of business delegations in future to explore the opportunities and ways to boost bilateral trade between the two countries, especially in agricultural, mining, defence and machinery. Chedondo also condoled the current situation in Pakistan due to the flood. He expressed his deep grief on the loss and assured his country’s support in this hour of trial.

Credit : Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk