August 18, 2002	Sunday	Jamadi-us-Saani 8, 1423

KARACHI, Aug 17: A nine-member trade delegation headed by director general, Export Promotion Bureau, Rahat Ul Ain, left for South Korea and Indonesia to explore export opportunities.

During their week-long visit to Seoul and Jakarta, the delegation will hold meetings with government officials and also attend briefings at the chambers of commerce and industry.

Arrangements have been made to hold one-to-one match making meetings between the delegation members and importers from South Korea and Indonesia.

The objective of the visit is to acquire greater understanding of the trade, culture and institutions of these markets and explore possibilities of exports and to facilitate individual contact with the importers to boost exports from Pakistan to these countries.

Pakistan’s exports to South Korea during the year 2000-01 were $278 million. The balance of trade was in favour of Seoul and Pakistan’s trade deficit with Korea was $78 million.

Exports to Indonesia in 2000-01 were $135 million. The balance of trade was in favour of Indonesia and Pakistan’s trade deficit stood at $28 million.

The delegation members who left on Tuesday includes: Syed M Qasim Shah, Jawed Sultan, Syed Akhlaque Hussain, Mohammad Javed Tahir, Rehan Masud, Kashaf Iqbal, S.N.H Jafry and Nasir Javed Chaudhry.