(February 13-2023) Ways and means for increased trade between Pakistan and the African continent were discussed between Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ethiopia Jemal Beker Abdula and Vice Consul of the Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Ghana, Omar Shahid Butt.
Omar Shahid Butt called on the Ambassador of Ethiopia Jemal Beker Abdula and discussed ways and means to enhance linkages between the business community of Pakistan and those belonging to Ethiopia, Ghana, and other countries.
The business communities of both the brotherly countries should explore opportunities as we will always welcome Pakistani businessmen and delegations interested in discovering business, trade, and investment opportunities in Africa, they said.
Jemal Beker Abdula and Omar Shahid Butt observed that Africa is a resource-rich continent that is not a traditional market for Pakistan as bilateral trade between Pakistan and African countries is very low which should be increased.
We should explore opportunities to bring African countries closer to Pakistan and facilitate Pakistani trade delegations to enter the African market.
Pakistan is a vast market that needs alternative markets to expand its exports while African countries can also import a lot of items from Pakistan for which we must strengthen business-to-business and people-to-people contacts which will boost bilateral ties in diverse sectors like economy, health, education, and others.
At the occasion, Omar Shahid Butt appreciated the efforts of the ambassador for bringing the two countries closer by cementing bilateral ties and assured full support for enhancing two-way ties.
There is a huge demand for tea, coffee, metals, pulses, oil seeds, etc. in Pakistan and local businessmen would love to import more items at affordable rates for which information, connectivity, quality control mechanisms, and institutional linkages should be further strengthened, he added.
Pakistan can export rice, chemicals, textile, pharmaceutical products, medical equipment, sports items, construction materials, and other items to African countries, he said.
Jemal Beker Abdula said that the bilateral trade between Pakistan and Ethiopia is around $78 million US dollars which must be increased to $300 million within two years.
