KARACHI, May 5: Secretary General of Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), Aqeel A. Al Jaseem has said that the ICCI has set up a task force to assist small and medium enterprises in Pakistan.

He said the third workshop on Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC) Task Force on SMEs would be held in Pakistan next year, which would provide local businessmen a great opportunity to interact with the participants of the workshop.

In a meeting with the president FPCCI, Riaz Tata at the Federation House, he urged the local businessmen to make full use of the workshop to project conducive investment climate, says a press release of the FPCCI.

ICCI is also hosting second workshop on OIC Task Force on SMEs in Mozambique from May 19-21 while private sector meeting and executive committee and general assembly meeting will be held in Tehran from October 4-6 and October 7-8 this year respectively.

He called for active participation in these events, which would provide them opportunities to project Pakistan’s trade and investment potential.

On-going challenges being faced by the businessmen of Islamic countries, Aqeel emphasised for more interaction for promotion of trade and economic relations amongst themselves.

Pakistan has the potential to play a significant role in construction of Iraq and Afghanistan. To tap the opportunities arising out from Iraq and Afghanistan, Pakistan should make frequent visits of trade delegation to these countries, the secretary general said.

He said Islamic Chamber was also planning to host a seminar on private sector meeting on women entrepreneurs of Islamic countries in the UAE.

Earlier, Riaz Tata pointed out to ICCI secretary about the exorbitant fee being charged by the consulates of some Islamic countries for attestation of export documents.

Vice present, FPCCI, M.A. Jabbar urged the ICCI to conduct a study on the trade policies of various Islamic countries aimed at removing hurdles in promotion of trade among OIC countries.