June 20, 2003	Friday	Rabi-us-Sani 19, 1424

SIALKOT, June 19: Ambassador of Sudan in Islamabad Awad Mohamed Hassan has urged Sialkot’s trendy exporters to divert their business activities to Sudan for ending the monopoly of other countries.

Talking to exporters at the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry here on Thursday, the ambassador offered some direct trade relations to the Sialkot business community for enhancing trade ties between the two countries. He said there were bright opportunities of setting up various joint ventures with Sialkot business community.

Mr Hassan said Sudan and Pakistan were enjoying good trade relations and these should be further strengthened by accelerating the pace of mutual trade activities.

The ambassador said the exporters of Sialkot could capture the European and African markets through Sudan by exporting their diversified traditional and non-traditional export items.

Mr Hassan assured the Sialkot business community of Sudan’s export markets’ up-to-date information. He disclosed business circles of Sudan and Pakistan would soon establish a bilateral business council to explore the possibility of launching a joint council of trade, business, investment, industrial and technology ventures.

SCCI SVP Muhammad Sadiq Goraya and vice-president Malik Muhammad Ashraf on the occasion welcomed the offer of joint ventures with Sudanese business community and hoped that it would be helpful in promoting the mutual trade activities.