Senator John Hogg, President of the Australian Senate, has said that the Australian government highly values its relations with Pakistan and is keen on strengthening its economic relations with Pakistan, which is an important country in the region.
John, who was heading a 17-member Parliamentary delegation, addressed the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Friday. LCCI President Irfan Qaiser Sheikh, Senior Vice President Kashif Younis Meher, Vice President Saeeda Nazar and LCCI former Presidents also spoke on the occasion.
The Australian Parliamentary delegation comprised of Senator Sean Edwards; Nick Champion MP; Senator David Johnston; Graham Perrett MP; Ms Jill Hall MP; Ms Julia Clifford (Advisor to the President); Australian High Commissioner Peter Heyward and Federal Agent Andy Davies (Australian Federal Police). Senator John stressed the need for close contact between businessmen through use of modern technology like video conferencing in order to develop deep and lasting linkages and networks for sharing each other’s experiences for strengthening economic relations.
The Senator said that they would play their role for increasing bilateral trade between the two countries. He said that Pakistani businessmen should initiate joint ventures with their Australian counterparts. Senator John Hogg and other members of the delegation also praised Pakistan’s role in the war against militancy and said that the people of Australia highly acknowledged the sacrifices rendered by Pakistan in this war.
Speaking on the occasion, Irfan Qaiser stressed the need for an enhanced bilateral trade between the two countries. He said that Pakistan’s exports to Australia touched its peak in 2011 by reaching USD 167 million while imports in the same period reached USD 437 million, but these figures do not match the actual trade potential of two countries. Both countries can take the bilateral trade to USD 1 billion with some concerted efforts at public and private levels.