SIALKOT
High Commissioner of Canada in Pakistan Greg Giokas said on Wednesday that his country was intending to develop strong economic relations with Pakistan.
Talking to industrialists and exporters at Sialkot, he said that his country was keen to boost mutual trade ties with Pakistan, pledging to make efforts to remove all the hurdles from the way of promoting bilateral ties.
The Canadian HC stressed the need for making some effective joint efforts to boost trade between Pakistan and Canada. He said that Canada will encourage regular exchange of trade delegations between the two countries. He also addressed a meeting at Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
He pledged full support and technical assistance to ensure easy access of Pakistan business community to Canadian trade markets. He vowed to make an all-out effort to boost bilateral trade ties. He said that the time was ripe to further strengthen mutual trade ties. He said that both the countries were enjoying the cordial trade relations.
He offered the Sialkot industrialists and exporters to invest in Canada, saying Canada welcomes foreign investment by providing a top performing economy for business to innovate, grow and succeed. He said that Canada’s fiscal; strength provides operational certainty for business, as it has a vibrant and transforming economy. He said that Canada could be a gateway for Pakistan to the European markets as well.
Mr Denis Chouinard, senior trade commissioner at Canadian High Commission Islamabad, SCCI President Dr. Sarfraz Bashir and vice present Mian Muhammad Anwar were also present.
On the occasion, the SCCI president told the Canadian high commissioner that most of the developed countries are importing surgical instruments from Sialkot.
“In leather products and textile sportswear, we compete with other countries regarding quality and style. Similar is the case with other items produced in Sialkot,” he said.
He revealed that there was no doubt to say that Sialkot made sports goods, surgical instruments, leather products, gloves of all sorts, textiles items, sports wear, martial arts uniforms & accessories, musical instruments, kitchen ware, hollow ware, knives, cutlery items and military uniform badges etc could find a good market in Canada.
The main hurdle is direct link between business communities of both countries. There is lack of communication and proper marketing, he added.
The president said that Sialkot exporters have a great potential to explore and capture the international trade markets of Canada by exporting their world class traditional and non-traditional export products. For improving bilateral trade, Sialkot exporters suggested that exchange of trade delegations and meetings of businessmen of both sides may be arranged.
He revealed that the Sialkot-made footballs, field hockey sticks, cricket gear, and boxing gloves are used in international games including the Olympics and world tournaments.
It is the distinction of Sialkot that the hands stitched soccer balls made here have been used in World Soccer Cups, European championships, and other international events. The best cricket and hockey players of the world prefer to use Made in Pakistan cricket bats and hockey sticks, they added.
Later, talking to the newsmen, the Canadian high commissioner said that there were bright opportunities of setting up joint ventures with Sialkot-Pakistan business community in different trade fields, as several Canadian companies were showing keen interest in this regard.
During his visit Canadian High Commissioner Mr Greg Giokas also visited the several leading industrial units in Sialkot, amid tight security. He witnessed the internationals standard craftsmanship of Sialkot based artisans.
On the occasion, SCCI showed a documentary “Sialkot...a City of Opportunities”, covering Sialkot industries. The documentary truly exhibited the progressive approach and vision of the Sialkot entrepreneurs.