20000215

Iraq proposes direct tradewith Sialkot surgical exporters

RECORDER REPORT

SIALKOT: Iraq's Ambassador to Pakistan Abdul Karim Aswad has proposed direct business relations with surgical exporters of Sialkot to enhance bilateral trade with Pakistan.

He made this offer, while addressing a meeting of local industrialists, traders and exporters at the auditorium of Surgical Instruments Manufacturers Association of Pakistan (SIMA), after visiting various industrial units in Sialkot on Monday.

Sima Chairman Ch Amjad Ali Cheema and Secretary Abdul Waheed Feroze were present on the occasion.

The Iraqi envoy said that exporters of Sialkot can capture the international market of Iraq by exporting their best quality surgical and dental instruments.

Aswad expressed his satisfaction over eradication of child labour from the export-oriented cottage industries of Sialkot and highly appreciated the efforts of Pakistan government for elimination of child labour.

He said that Iraqi government would provide every possible incentives to the exporters for developing the mutual trade and boosting exports between the two countries.

Karim Aswad assured the meeting that Iraqi government will take every step to establish an international 'Islamic trade market' which would help to unite the Muslim countries as well as in bringing the economic prosperity.

Sima chairman told the meeting that due the high international standard and best quality. Unicef and WHO are purchasing huge quantities of surgical and dental instruments from Sialkot.

About 200 surgical instruments manufacturing companies have received GMP and ISO-9002 certificates, he added.