October 16, 2003	Thursday	Sha'aban 19, 1424

KARACHI, Oct 15: The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the Canada-Pakistan Business Council (CPBC) on Wednesday signed an agreement of cooperation for the promotion of bilateral trade and economic cooperation between the two countries.

FPCCI president Riaz Ahmed Tata and CPBC chairman Anwar Merchant signed the agreement on behalf of their organizations. Canadian Trade and Industry Minister Allan Rock and Canadian High Commissioner to Pakistan Ms Margaret Huber also attended the signing ceremony.

According to the agreement, both sides agreed to develop appropriate means to facilitate business networks, on a bilateral basis, to circulate amongst their respective memberships the information on business opportunities available in both the countries. They will assist in the exchange of information on laws and regulations relating to commercial, industrial and economic activities. Both sides will facilitate the exchange of delegations, trade and economic missions between the two organisations with a view to activating the relationship and expanding trade and economic cooperation between their respective members.

Both the FPCCI and the CPBC will cooperatively assist commerce and industry in each other country to overcome difficulties.

Allan Rock said there were 200,000 Canadians of Pakistani origin who were working on important positions in Canada and were making a very positive contribution to the Canadian economy.