KARACHI, May 3: Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Karachi Chamber of Commerce and industry (KCCI) have decided to cooperate with each other under European Union funded Asia Invest Programme 2003-2007 for capacity building and development of SME sector in Pakistan. A two-member Birmingham Chamber delegation comprising Director International Trade Jonathan Webber and Regional Sector Coordinator International Trade Ajay Desai presented the proposal for joint cooperation to KCCI President Khalid Firoz during a meeting.

Asia Invest is an EU initiative that seeks to promote and support Euro-Asian business cooperation, Mr Jonathan said adding that the programme provides assistance to intermediary organizations to facilitate mutually beneficial partnerships between companies in Europe and Asia as well to strengthen the framework conditions to increase trade and investment flows between the two regions.

The cooperation encompasses capacity building for organizations/companies in Asia to prepare for international co-operation, involving the transfer of know-how, developing business associations and strengthening links to European companies, monitoring the business environment through market research studies on trade and investment opportunities, particularly in the less developed countries, holding of workshops and conferences involving intermediaries exchanging best practice and experiences with public authorities and the private sector, he elaborated.

Ajay Desai gave a presentation on preparation and completion of required formalities and procedures — prior to submission of the project to the EU for consideration and grant of assistance — by the Birmingham Chamber along with KCCI and Naples Chamber, Italy.

Answering to various questions regarding limited market access and non-inclusion of Pakistan in GSP Plus by the EU, the Birmingham Chamber representative acknowledged the importance of the issue. He, however, suggested that since it was a policy issue, it should be taken up with the appropriate forum.

Khalid Firoz said that previously developing countries like Pakistan were always looking forward towards foreign aids. “Now in an era of globalization, Pakistan is looking for expansion of trade and commerce for the mutual benefit.”

He recalled that in a previous meeting in February 2005 with Mr Jonathan, the KCCI explored the possibilities and identification of areas of cooperation between the two chambers, and, had also requested them to help in capacity building at the KCCI.

The KCCI chief said that the Birmingham Chamber had realized that by the year 2010, the composition of its member would have a majority of people from Asian origin and their natural preference would be to do trade with the peoples of this region. Therefore this cooperation would go a long way in strengthening our institution and trade relations with them. Also, the KCCI members, especially SMEs, would be able to drive manifold benefits out of these capacity building efforts.