Karachi: Mr. Atif Ikram Sheikh, President of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI),has welcomed the launch of direct flights between the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the Republic of Azerbaijan, as it will usher into a new era of business, trade, industrial and economic cooperation. Thus, the Republic of Azerbaijan offers one the most lucrative markets for Pakistan to enhance its exports on the back of geographical contiguity and availability of land-based trade routes, he added.
It is pertinent to note that H. E. Mr. Khazar Farhadov, Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, visited FPCCI Head Office in Karachi to discuss business-to-business and people-to-people opportunities between the two brotherly countries.
Mr. Atif Ikram Sheikh highlighted that the trade diplomacy is central to trade facilitation and better trade negotiations. To his opinion close coordination in the form of regular meetings with trade bodies &chambers of commerce of both the countries will be greatly beneficial in promotion of trade and economic activities.
In turn H. E. Mr. Khazar Farhadov, especially underlined that the successful official visit of the esteemed Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Mr. Shehbaz Sharif, to the Republic of Azerbaijan on June 14-15, 2023; which gave strong impetus to the comprehensive and rapid development of strategic partnership relations between the two brotherly countries.
Therefore, on the basis of the tasks given by the leaders of both countries during the aforesaid visit regarding the expansion of mutually beneficial cooperation in the fields of information communication technologies, transport, defense industry, energy and trade, relevant visits were carried out and developments were made.
At the same time H. E. Mr. Khazar Farhadov, having apprised the existing direct flights between Azerbaijan and Pakistan from Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi, twice per week on each direction; and, stated that the carrying out these direct flights was a need of our people, including businessmen, and told that both countries will continue their activities aimed at the increasing the number of direct flights per week.
Also, H.E. Mr. Khazar Farhadov added that Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) is under discussion and after its signing business.