Pakistan and China have vast scope of enhancing bilateral trade and economic relations and concerted efforts should be made to realize the potential fully. This was said by Zahid Maqbool, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ICCI) after returning from a week long visit to China as the head of ICCI trade delegation for participating in China (Shenzhen) International Industrial Fair 2009, which was jointly organized by China Chamber of International Commerce & China Council for the Promotion of International Trade.

He said China is emerging fast as a global economic power which should be a source of great strength for Pakistan. He termed the visit of ICCI delegation to China highly successful as it provided businessmen of two countries an excellent opportunity to exchange views and discover many new areas of interest for expanding and diversifying bilateral economic & commercial ties.

He said during their visit, Chinese hosts demonstrated exemplary hospitality and high esteem for Pakistani guests, which is a true reflection of China’s sincerity and commitment towards Pakistan. He said Chinese consider Pakistani problems their own problems and are very serious to help Pakistan in coming out of all sorts of prevailing economic challenges.

Zahid Maqbool said China holds many trade & industrial fairs per annum, particularly in its unknown cities which help it to exploit untapped potential of such areas and generate economic activities. He stressed that Pakistan should learn from Chinese experience to promote business activities and.

He said China has better harnessed FTA signed between Pakistan and China and stressed that Government should facilitate frequent exchange of business delegations to exploit untapped trade potential in both countries.

ICCI President said the future collaboration between Pakistan and China would largely be dependent on the active participation of their private enterprises. Therefore, he stressed that both governments should assume the role of promoters & facilitators of private sector collaboration and should assign enhanced role to their private sectors for promoting mutual trade & investment.