RECORDER REPORT

SIALKOT: Ambassador of Vietnam to Pakistan Pham Hong Kim on Monday said that Vietnam and Pakistan are actively considering signing “Free Trade Agreement” for boosting bilateral trade between the two countries.

Addressing the members of Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) he added that the two sides will soon start negotiations for signing the Free Trade Agreement. The Ambassador on this occasion said that exchange of trade delegations could play an instrumental role in boosting the bilateral trade between Vietnam and Pakistan.

He was confident that both sides would welcome the business and investment delegations. In order to introduce Pakistani products the business community should participate in trade fairs and exhibitions in Vietnam and for assessing the demands of Pakistani Products in Vietnam market he was of the opinion.

The Ambassador further stated that Vietnam is keen to promote bilateral trade ties with Pakistan on top priority basis. The business Community of Sialkot should concentrate on exploring potential business opportunities of Vietnam markets he said.

In his address of welcome the SCCI President Zahid Latif Malik said that in order to promote B2B linkages Vietnam Embassy in Pakistan may facilitate signing of MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) between prominent Vietnam based chambers of Commerce and Industry and Sialkot Chamber for accelerating trade and commerce activities.

Total trade volume between the two countries is around $610 million with the balance of trade in favour of Vietnam at $342 million he pointed out. The SCCI President underscored the need of collaborating efforts from SCCI and esteemed Embassy of Vietnam adding we can cross billion market by facilitating frequent interaction of private sectors and promoting B2B linkages.