950827

Pakistan seen

to play leading

role in ECO

chamber

RECORDER REPORT

LAHORE: Pakistan is bound to play its vital role to lead ECO countries, said Iftikhar Ali Malik, Vice President/Zonal Chairman FPCCI, who has been elected Member Board of Directors of ECO Chamber of Commerce & Industry in its 3rd Executive Committee Meeting and General Assembly held at Tehran on 23rd -24th August 1995.

Iftikhar Ali Malik said in a statement that the present tour of Prime Minister Benazir to ECO countries is of great significance to strengthen the economic ties with brotherly ECO countries. He said that her present tour will eliminate several hurdles in improving the economic ties for a better cooperation to introduce Pakistani goods and enhance two-way trade between newly established ECO states.

He said, although there is lack of infrastructure and procedural matters to conduct trade it is hoped that Pakistan will soon adopt suitable measures to consolidate the cooperation between Uzbekistan, Kazakistan, Kyrgystan and Azerbaijan.

He stated that a Pakistani private company has already signed a joint venture with the Ministry of Transport of Kyrgystan for the establishment of a goods transport company. Establishment of an air route with Kyrgystan is also under way.

Malik emphasised that Pakistan should take notice of the various matters and forces trying to deprive Pakistan and create difference between Turkish and Persian speaking states. He said that all Muslims are one and are united for the prosperity of the Muslims of the world and specially for the ECO countries. This views were expressed by him on his return from Tehran after attending the 3rd Executive Committee and General Assembly meeting of ECO Chamber in which the role of the Pakistani leaders of the businessmen community was acknowledged and was appreciated very much for the services to promote the trade, industrial and economic activities globally.

A programme of future activities of ECO Chamber was also discussed to organise bilateral and multilateral meetings and exchange of delegation among ECO countries focussing on:

(1) Various important subjects which include exchange of information, and make announcement of a commercial offers, tenders and development projects of ECO countries,

(2) To undertake efforts towards the promotion of better economic and commercial relations with new member countries of ECO,

(3) To ensure the implementation of decisions taken in the 2nd General Assembly and ECO meeting attaching priority mainly to transport, communication and trade,

(4) To publish a monthly news bulletin to address the concern of all ECO chambers,

(5) Setting up of a joint Press and Public Relation Bureau for the ECO Chamber in order to implement the proceeding activities,

(6) To prepare annually a calendar of activities for the meeting of the existing sub-committee and other specific activities.

Several other important decisions were also taken for a closer contact and mutual activities between the ECO countries at a forum of ECO Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

It was further been decided that the next General Assembly and Executive Committee meeting will be held in Pakistan in 2nd half of February 1996. To specially examine the issues such as transfer of technology, matters including border and tariff trade, exchange of delegations and training facilities for the new members including promotion of investment between ECO countries.