February 4, 2006	Saturday	Muharram 5, 1427

KARACHI, Feb 3: Regional Director (SEASAP), Australian Trade Commission, stationed at Singapore, David Twine has said that the Australian government and businessmen are very keen to expand trade with Pakistan due to impressive economic growth in the country.  During a meeting with the KCCI members here on Friday, he also identified sectors like agricultural products, dairy farming, food processing, marble and granite, furniture, handicraft, information technology, education, software development, telecommunications and construction for joint ventures and investment.

He informed the KCCI members that Australian Trade Facilitation Agency provided advice and guidance on overseas investment and joint venture opportunities and helped Australian businesses in developing contacts with potential overseas investors and in developing international markets for Australian goods.

He said Karachi certainly has its significance and importance, being the industrial and commercial hub of the country, says a KCCI press release.

KCCI president Haroon Farooki said that the trade volume did not correspond to the good relations that we had at the government level, and was largely in favour of Australia.

He strongly emphasized on the need of increased interaction between the business communities of the two countries through visits of individual businessmen, exchange of trade delegations and holding of trade fairs in each other’s country. “The two-way trade would grow considerably if visa is easily provided to our members”, he stressed.

He suggested to the SEASAP regional director to arrange providing some informative material on Australia Investment Policy, rules and regulations and to identify possible sectors for joint ventures.

He also invited Australian businessmen to participate in the third exhibition “My Karachi”, which is being organized by the chamber in mid July.