April 27, 2007	Friday	Rabi-us-Sani 09, 1428

QUETTA, April 26: Jonathan Webber, head of international trade, Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has said that consistency of supply and quality of the products delivered to the UK and Europe would enhance the image of Pakistan.

He stated this while speaking at a dinner hosted by the President Balochistan Economic Forum Sardar Shoukat Aziz Popalzai.

Introducing his chamber, Jonathan Webber said that it was their ninth mission to Pakistan, and todate almost 120 companies have come through them to do business in Pakistan.

He said the key did not lie within just selling a product, but within trading and finding partners who would guide each other or act as mediators to help with the business.

He praised Pakistan as a very hospitable land and one of the best places to do business.

He said Pakistan has very intelligent and business focused environment and it was important to get this message across to the world.

He said it was important to teach the small and medium enterprises how to deal with foreign markets so that proper trade missions could be sent and exchange of business teams could take place.

Mr Webber said he was particularly impressed with mega projects being developed in Balochistan, and highlighted the importance of Gwadar Port to Europe and announced that another mission of his chamber would visit Balochistan in November next.

Sardar Shoukat mentioned the contribution of the forum in promoting Saindak copper project, Raikodek gold copper reserves and the Khuzdar lead and zinc project.

He said major companies of UK have invested in power sector and some of the industrial projects are progressing in different industrial estates of Balochistan, and leading oil and gas exploration companies either have direct or through joint venture stakes in the province.

He said that the UK can help in transfer of technology, direct investment, joint ventures in energy, fisheries, fruit processing, agro-food, tourism, livestock and mineral development.

The British government and representative bodies can also enlighten the British business concerns regarding the investment potential of Balochistan through visits of trade and governmental delegations on reciprocal basis, besides holding conferences and exhibitions, he said and added that Pakistan being member of Commonwealth enjoys preferential treatment of Britain.

He said vast opportunities are available in Balochistan for multinational companies and foreign investors alike.

A former ambassador of Pakistan, Zahid Hussain, and Col. (Retd) Syed Akbar, former chairman of PACO, expressed their observations that Balochistan was a land of vast opportunities and it was important that more focus be given to the province.

The experts also discussed the working conditions of local chambers and the neglect of research and information-based departments, and stated that economic information required was just very hard to find.

Stone industry of Pakistan was also discussed with regard to the export to European markets.

POLAND: The Balochistan Economic Forum received another delegation from Poland concerning coal sector.

The delegation is very optimistic about exploring coalmining investment opportunities in Balochistan.