Qatar Chamber Looks into Increasing Imports of Pakistani Products

Doha, July 15 (QNA) - Qatar Chamber (QC) discussed ways to increase the State of Qatar's imports of Pakistani goods, during a meetings held by its delegations to Pakistani capital Islamabad. The meetings took place with representatives of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry. A statement released from the QC to the press said that focused on enhancing cooperation ties between both parties in economic and trade sectors including construction, building materials, foodstuffs, textiles and furniture. The Qatari delegation held several meetings with Pakistani officials, businessmen and presidents of chambers. They reviewed partnership opportunities and mechanisms of exchanging expertise between Qatari and Pakistani companies. Businessmen of both sides discussed establishing joint factories in Qatar which would help provide all commodities to the local market and exporting abroad the surplus. HE Pakistan's Minister of Commerce Khurram Dastgir Khan held a meeting with the Qatari delegation to discuss ways of boosting bilateral relations particularly in private sector sectors. The Minister said that the visit significantly reflected the strong ties both countries have. He praised the Qatari businessmen's confidence in Pakistan's economy, hoping this meeting would help expand cooperation and establishing real ventures. QCs board member Rashid bin Hamad Al Athba said in the statement that Qatar's delegation invited their Pakistani counterparts to visit Qatar in order to explore investment opportunities and fields that both side could cooperate in. He added that the invitation is highly welcomed by Pakistan and there is a large businessman delegation expected to visit Qatar soon. For his part, Saleh Al Sharqi assured the Chambers interest to open new channels of trade cooperation with all friendly and sisterly countries and to find new sources of importing. He added that there was a large trade exchange between Qatar and Pakistan, adding that the chamber sought throughout discussions with Islamabad Chamber to increase Qatar's imports from Pakistan, especially food items and building materials. Trade with Pakistan is witnessing growing rapidly. Trade volume reached last year QR 2.8 billion, while it was QR 1.9 billion in 2014 and QR 887 million in 2015, Al Sharqi said. Qatar's exports to Pakistan in 2016 touched QR 2.5 billion, whereas Pakistan's imports to Qatar were only QR 317.7 million. (QNA)