KARACHI: Syed Mazhar Ali Nasir, Senior Vice President, FPCCI left for Turkey to participate in the 32nd Conference of Confederation of Asia Pacific Chambers of Commerce & Industry (CACCI) scheduled to be held on 23-24 November, 2018 at Istanbul, Turkey on the Theme of Asia: Expanding Boundaries. He will address the session of Asian Council on Water, Energy and Environment and as a member of panelist would highlight the issues related to water, energy and environment of Asia and Pacific region including Pakistan.

This was stated in a Press Release issued by the FPCCI today elaborating that CACCI is a platform of 29 Chambers of Commerce and Industry playing an important role in developing and promoting economic activities amongst Asia and Pacific Region. Pakistan is an important and active member and enjoyed two times Vice Presidency of CACCI. The conference will be attended by large number of representatives from public and private sector, prominent businessmen, renowned researchers, scholars and learned speakers from Asia and Pacific Region.

During the visit, Syed Mazhar Ali Nasir Sr. Vice President FPCCI will meet with the counterparts of Turkey, Bangladesh, Nepal, Laos, Australia, Iran, India, Sri Lanka, Silk Road Chamber, International Chamber of Commerce and ASEAN Chamber of Commerce and Industry etc and discuss the matters related to trade, industry and economy relations.

Before leaving for Turkey, Syed Mazhar Ali Nasir said that both the brotherly countries Pakistan and Turkey besides CACCI are also members of OIC, D-8, ECO blocs etc. FPCCI would appreciate the initiatives taken by Mr. Rifat Hisarcikliglu, President TOBB for establishment of OIC Arbitrations Center in Istanbul to facilitate the traders and businessmen in amicable resolution of their disputes of OIC countries. During the meeting with Turkish counterpart, Syed Mazhar Ali Nasir will also discuss the possibility of intensifying Research & Development (R&D) activities, implementation of Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) and simplification of visa regime amongst the D-8 and ECO countries. He will also seek the details of Border Gates established and run by TOBB in providing one-window services to facilitate and intensify trade with border countries.

Availing the opportunity, he would also explore the potential areas of joint ventures in the field of tourism, automobile, energy etc. and holding of Joint activities like organizing Single Country Exhibition, Buyers-Sellers meeting and B2B on reciprocal basis and establishment of Pak-Turkey Joint Chamber of Commerce & Industry. He will also take up the matter of levying of countervailing duty on imports of denim from Pakistan due to which the Pakistan’s exports is rendered in-competitive in Turkish market as evident from the fact that out of total import of textile and clothing US$ 11 billion, the Pakistan share is just US$ 250 million or 2.27% of total import of textile of Turkey.