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Herald Reporter
Pakistan is seeking Zimbabwean exhibitors for the second Engineering and Healthcare Show being held from February 23 to 25 in Lahore.
On Wednesday, the Pakistan Embassy held an introductory trade event in Harare.
The second Engineering & Healthcare Show is being organised by Pakistan’s Ministry of Commerce and the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan.
An introductory trade event was attended by dignitaries, ambassadors, heads of national chambers, regulators, Government officials and representatives of companies and businessmen from a multitude of sectors in Zimbabwe.
Pakistani Ambassador to Zimbabwe Murad Baseer made a presentation of Pakistan’s trade potential and the sectors that will be represented at the expo in Lahore.
The Ambassador emphasised that Pakistan cherishes its historical brotherly ties with Zimbabwe and the African continent.
While referring to the immensely untapped trade potential between Zimbabwe and Africa at large, the Pakistani Ambassador highlighted his country’s interest in engaging with the continent and enhancing its export figures which currently stand at 6 percent of Pakistan’s total exports to the world.
“Currently, Pakistan’s exports to the continent of Africa stand at US$1,56 billion, whereas Pakistani imports from the continent stood at US$5,6 billion for the fiscal year 2021-22.
“Imports from the African continent have increased by US$3 billion from US$2,66 billion since 2017-18,” said Ambassador Baseer.
The Ambassador reiterated that the Government of Pakistan in light of its “Engage Africa Policy” intends to build, consolidate and strengthen frameworks for enhancing bilateral trade relations with the African continent.
On trade with Zimbabwe, the Ambassador said that the current trade between the two countries “a paltry US$30,8 million” in fiscal year 2021-2022, was not representative of the trade potential between the two countries.
Pakistan’s exports to Zimbabwe included rice, tractors, sport goods, leather gloves, cotton fabrics, horticulture products, safety equipment, clothing, rubber tyres, surgical instruments, wadding of textile materials.
“Pakistan’s exports to Zimbabwe stood at US$9,28 million. On the other hand, Zimbabwe’s exports to Pakistan mainly included raw cotton and tanning extracts of vegetable origin. Raw tea has also been exported to Pakistan in the past,” said Ambassador Baseer.
Zimbabwe’s exports to Pakistan during the fiscal year 2021-22 were worth US$21,52 million with the balance of trade in favour of Zimbabwe.
The Ambassador gave a briefing and introduced sectors that will be on display at the Engineering and Healthcare Show in the historic city of Lahore.
He highlighted the sectors like pharmaceuticals, agri-machinery, auto-parts, paints and chemicals, cement and construction sector, plastics, home appliances, electrical and mechanical goods, cosmetics, packaging, surgical instruments as well as kitchenware cutlery among others.
Representatives from national chambers and business communities in Zambia, Malawi, Angola and Democratic Republic of Congo participated in the event virtually on Zoom.
Online Reporter