Omani Consul General and Pakistani businessmen discuss export diversification, strengthening bilateral trade
ISLAMABAD: Oman Consul General Sami Abdullah Salim Al Khanjali on Wednesday held talks with Pakistani businessmen focused on diversifying exports from the South Asian country to Gulf countries and expanding bilateral trade, a Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) statement said.
Like other Gulf states, Pakistan shares friendly ties with Oman rooted in common faith, culture and history, and the South Asian nation also has strong defense and economic ties with Oman.
Khanjali led a delegation comprising Oman Consulate Deputy Consul General Abdullah Juma Al Harbi and officials from various Omani government ministries and departments in meeting Pakistani businessmen and traders at the KCCI office on Wednesday.
“Oman has been importing rice from Pakistan since 1982 and is extremely grateful to Pakistan for supplying the best quality rice,” KCCI quoted Kanjari as saying.
“But we want more Pakistani products to be exported to Oman, including other agricultural products, sugar, textiles, towels and other quality products,” he added.
He urged Karachi’s business community to consider exporting agricultural produce such as onions, lentils, mangoes and potatoes to the Gulf state of Oman.
Khanjali called on Karachi’s business community to identify and remove all obstacles impeding smooth trade with Oman and also called for organizing more exhibitions in the two countries so that business communities of the two countries can better interact and explore possibilities for expanding trade.
“Keeping in view the trade potential, Omani authorities have expressed interest in making regular visits to Pakistan every year so that potential products manufactured in Pakistan can be exported to Oman,” KCCI said.
KCCI president Iftikhar Ahmed Sheikh pointed out that Pakistan’s exports to Oman totalled about $166 million in the first nine months of this fiscal year, while last year it exported goods worth $193 million to the Gulf country.
“Despite the great potential of brotherly relations and bilateral trade, the trade volume is low and needs to be increased to an appropriate level,” Sheikh said.
He said the two countries needed to reduce trade barriers, diversify their product range, streamline customs procedures, encourage small and medium-sized enterprises and boost business cooperation to boost trade needed for “economic integration”.
The KCCI president noted that while the oil and gas sector is the driving force behind Oman’s economy, Pakistan is facing significant energy sector challenges that are adversely affecting its economy.
“Importing LNG and petroleum products from Oman at discounted prices or on deferred payments through a government-to-government arrangement could help Pakistan’s energy and industrial needs and help restore economic growth,” Sheikh said.
