LAHORE  -  Vice President of CORFU Chamber of Commerce Industry, Greece, George A Kolytas has said that private sectors of Greece and Pakistan should not only work hand in hand to boost mutual trade but should also play role for enhancing cooperation in sports and cultural sectors.

He was talking to LCCI Senior Vice President Khawaja Shahzad Nasir, Vice President Fahim-ur-Rehman Sehgal and members of the Executive Committee here at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry. Former LCCI President Sohail Lashari and members of the Greek delegation also spoke on the occasion.

The Vice President of CORFU CCI said that not only trade but sports and cultural delegations from Greece and Pakistan should also visit to each other at private and government levels. He suggested formation of cricket teams at chambers level saying that such activities will help get desired results. He said that they want to export olive oil, scrap and cotton from Greece to Pakistan.

The LCCI Senior Vice President Khawaja Shahzad Nasir said that Pakistan and Greece enjoy warm and cordial diplomatic relations, however, the level of trade and economic cooperation is far below the expected levels in view of the potentials of the two economies. He said this is not a healthy state of affairs that the bilateral trade is ranging way below even USD100 million. He said that Pakistan has favourable balance of trade with Greece and we need to maintain it.

LCCI Vice President Fahim-ur-Rehman Sehgal said that a rising trend in exports from Pakistan is depicting that we are heading towards right direction. He said that to create a conducive atmosphere, which can set the ball rolling towards greater economic cooperation, both countries must identify the areas that may create opportunities for greater trade. He said that the Lahore Chamber is ready to join hands with CORFU Chamber to bring business people of respective countries close to each other.

Fahim-ur-Rehman Sehgal agreed with the suggestion that cooperation in the fields of sports and culture should be enhanced. He said that exchange of trade delegations can also help enhance the process of trade & investment related information and respective chambers of commerce can play the vital role in this connection. He said that relation building between our institutions can greatly contribute in exploiting the trade & investment potential between two countries.