Australian High Commissioner to Pakistan Peter Heyward while addressing the fourth annual dinner of the Pakistan Australia Business Forum (PABF) said that his government would facilitate Pakistan by revising down its tariff regime greatly on the import of Pakistani textiles beginning next year.
The maximum tariff to be imposed would be 5 per cent, he added. This step will also help Pakistan in balancing its trade which is still in favour of Australia.
He said the forum was a key partner in strengthening bilateral relations between Pakistan and Australia. It represents wider Pakistani business community while showcasing Australia and the business opportunities. It helps promote growth in bilateral trade and investment while they expect to see high-level political visits in both directions late this year and early in the next.
He added that they would continue to encourage Pakistani business people to look at the opportunities that exist and take advantage of them to grow their own businesses. Moreover, the ICC World Cup will draw the attention of cricket playing nations to Australia which is a considerable attraction for Pakistan.
Meanwhile, Patrick Kearins, the trade commissioner at the Australian High Commission said that Australian companies were willing to impart technical training to Pakistani youth that would also help Pakistanis to reduce unemployment and develop their career. The Australian companies will help Pakistan in bilateral trade, education, agriculture, livestock and energy sector.
He added that Pakistan had unique position in the region and good potential while trade relationship would help both the countries in promoting trade. Pakistan can take advantage of Australian technology especially in the field of energy, engineering and livestock.
He said the energy sector had been especially earmarked for cooperation between the two countries, saying that Australian companies were internationally renowned in the field. Education and training was another field of endeavour, he mentioned, adding that currently there were half-a-million foreign students pursuing studies at Australian seats of learning. Australia, he said, would take all steps to facilitate the entry of Pakistani students into Australian universities.
Earlier, Pervez H Madrazwala, Chairman PABF, said their forum was all about Pak-Australia business relationship and they wanted to extend more business cooperation in agriculture, engineering, electronic and electrical fields, dairy and livestock business. Pakistan has lot of potential in these fields, especially textile.
