ISLAMABAD – Pakistan and Thailand have agreed to promote bilateral investment as part of the overall effort to strengthen bilateral trade and economic relations. This was agreed during the meeting between Secretary General of Thailand’s Board of Investment (BOI) Dr Atchaka Sibunruang and a delegation led by Pakistan’s Ambassador to Thailand Sohail Mahmood.
The group included members of the Thai-Pakistan Chamber of Commerce (TPCC). The purpose of the meeting was to review the state of investments in Thailand and Pakistan to identify ways through which these investments could be further promoted in various sectors in both countries. In his remarks, Ambassador Mahmood stressed the importance of robust economic interaction serving as a vital part of bilateral exchanges between Pakistan and Thailand.
In this context, he highlighted the desire in both countries to further deepen and broaden trade and economic cooperation inculcating a steady growth in bilateral trade volume and raising the profile of platforms like Joint Trade Committee (JTC) and Joint Business Council (JBC). The ambassador also stressed the need for frequent exchanges between the private sectors of the two countries to enhance information-sharing and develop awareness of opportunities for building stronger trade and investment ties.
Thai-Pakistan Chamber of Commerce President Chaudhry Sabahat Elahi briefed those present on the evolution of the TPCC and its numerous activities undertaken to promote trade, investments and commercial interaction. Prominent members of the Chamber informed about their respective investments, both already in place and prospective. BOI Secretary General Dr Atchaka Sibunruang, for her part, underlined the importance of BOI-TPCC interface and noted that Thailand was pursuing a policy of promoting investment.
She evinced keen interest in the activities of the TPCC and assured them that all possible aid would be furnished for the further consolidation and broadening of bilateral investment. During the meeting, the two sides identified several sectors for special focus – including food processing, seafood, automotives, textiles, leather products, hotels and tourism. With a view to enhancing mutual awareness, the two sides agreed to take several measures including holding of investment seminars in both countries and organising a BOI mission to Pakistan.
Secretary General Atchaka also provided a comprehensive briefing on the BOI Fair 2011, a mega event that would provide multilayered opportunities to the participants to showcase their countries, companies, and culture. The Pakistan delegation assured the secretary general that every effort will be made to ensure meaningful participation from the chamber and from Pakistan in the BoI Fair in November 2011.
Secretary General Atchaka was accompanied during the meeting by senior officials of BOI dealing with South Asia and International Cooperation. The Pakistan delegation included prominent Pakistani investors and businessmen as well as Embassy’s Commercial Counsellor Syed Zafar Ali Shah.
