SIALKOT, June 16: Kenya has offered some direct trade relations to the Sialkot business community for enhancing and strengthening the mutual trade ties.

This offer was made by high commissioner of Kenya in Islamabad Mohamed Omar Saba while addressing a meeting of local traders, industrialists at Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) here on Monday, after visiting various leading industrial units. SCCI President Babar Iqbal and Vice-President Malik Muhammad Ashraf and SVP Muhammad Sadiq Goraya were also present on the occasion.

Kenya’s high commissioner said that there were bright opportunities for various joint ventures between Kenya and Pakistan in different trade fields, as various Kenyan companies had shown interest in establishing joint ventures with Sialkot business community.

Mohamed Omar Saba said that Kenya and Pakistan were enjoying good trade relations and it is high time to make concrete efforts to strengthen these trade ties.

He said that the Sialkot’s exporters had the capacity to capture the African & European trade and export markets through Kenya, by exporting their diversified traditional and non- traditional international standard export items.

He said that export-oriented Sialkot city has assumed a model status for developing world after the unmatched development of its cottage industries. Kenya’s High Commissioner assured the Sialkot business community about the Kenya’s international trade and export markets.

He said that the business circles of Kenya and Pakistan would soon establish a bilateral business council to explore the possibilities of launching a joint council of trade, business, investment, industrial and technology ventures.

He said that joint business council’s forum would be maximized for continuous exchange of information between the private sectors, in order to promote the trading opportunities between the two countries.

Talking to this correspondent at the SCCI, the high commissioner of Kenya Mohamed Omar Saba said: “I am very impressed to see the international standard craftsmanship and unmatched skills of Sialkot-based industrial workers and artisans.

Expressing his complete satisfaction over the complete eradication of child labour from Sialkot’s export-oriented soccer ball industry, termed it “child labour free industry”. He also hailed the positive, effective and revolutionary steps taken by the Pakistan government for elimination of child labour from the country.

Kenya’s Envoy assured to provide all the technical assistance for flourishing Sialkot’s export-oriented soccer ball industry.

SCCI President Babar Iqbal and Vice President Malik Muhammad Ashraf welcomed the offer of joint ventures with Kenya business community, hoping that it would be helpful in promoting the mutual trade activities and enhancing exports.

Kenya’s High Commissioner also invited SCCI’s delegation to visit ... and participate in Kenya’s all the major international trade fairs and exhibitions. He said that there are several joint ventures between Kenya and Pakistan are going on, at the moment.