Pakistani officials have urged Myanmar exporters to begin looking at distributing their products to the country, due to the benefits on offer.
Representatives from the Karachi Chambers of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) met with Myanmar’s Ambassador in Pakistan San Myint Oo, last week to exchange views on a range of areas. The meeting was attended, on the Pakistani side, by Abdullah Zaik, KCCI president, Anjum Nisar, vice chairman of Businessmen Group, Muffasar A Malik, senior vice president of KCCI and other management committee members.
Speaking at the meeting, San Myint Oo highlighted the overall export and import performances of Myanmar to various countries around the world, pointing out that Myanmar was currently a huge exporter of products such as rice, corns, vegetables and other edible products which can also be exported to Pakistan. Inviting the Pakistan business community to invest in Myanmar’s growing economy, he spoke of the huge potential on offer in a country where the vast majority of the population does not have access to mobile phones, an area where Pakistan is traditionally strong.
In the 2012-2013 fiscal, Pakistan exported $8.21 million of goods to Myanmar, an increase from $5.21 million a year previously, while Pakistani import from Myanmar dropped from $570,000 in 2011-2012 to $280,000 in 2012-2013, Zaki said at the event.
“Trade balance remains in favour of Pakistan, thus both countries need to make serious efforts for a significant increase in trade volume in the coming years,” he said.
Zaki added that he is of the view that Myanmar and Pakistan hold significant unexplored trade potential in a number of areas that, if traded, could substantially boost bilateral trade relations.
“We believe that bolstering bilateral relations and economic activities could help countries speedily grow and prosper on a sustainable basis,” he added.
He stressed the need for an exchanging of trade delegations, individual visits for businessmen and officials, exhibitions as well as joint-ventures and facilities.
Speaking at the event, Nisar urged Myanmar exporters to enhance their exports to Pakistan, which holds a huge middle-class population and offers potential for Myanmar’s consumer goods.
“It is high time to explore the possibilities of undertaking joint ventures in various fields which will certainly prove beneficial for both countries,” he said.
