Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ICCI) has appreciated the offer of The Associated Chambers of Commerce & Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) to help the flood victims of Pakistan in this critical hour of need.

ASSOCHAM approached ICCI and informed that Indian industry and business fraternity is keen to help Pakistan in these hours of tribulation. It said that large number of corporate houses in India have also evinced their desire to provide assistance to Pakistani flood victims.

ASSOCHAM and its 350,000 constituents have also expressed deep grief and sorrow over the devastations caused by the floods in Pakistan leading to untold miseries to the people, besides colossal loss of life, property and resources.

Mr.Zahid Maqbool, President, ICCI  also welcomed the Indian offer of 5 million dollars in aid for the relief of flood victims and said that Pakistan has taken a right decision by accepting this aid, which will help in mitigating the sufferings of flood affectees.

He said that the interest of Indian business community to help Pakistan in these tough times is a very positive sign and a manifestation of the fact that businessmen and people of both neighborly countries care to each other and prefer improved relations.

Mr.Zahid Maqbool said that India and Pakistan stand to realize tremendous economic benefits by normalizing relations and improving trade. He said that private sectors of both the countries should be facilitated to come closer and bilateral trade & investment should be given a chance to prosper as these are the best tools to build confidence, bridge trust deficit and uplift the living standards of poor people.

He said two European giants, France and Germany in the past had also some serious political differences, but neither of them allowed these differences to affect the business relationship between the two countries. He said Pakistan and India should try to adopt the similar approach.

Mr.Zahid Maqbool said that both countries have similar socio-economic needs and huge opportunities exist, which badly needed to be exploited through mutual co-operation for the overall welfare of people and stability in the region.