ISLAMABAD, Oct 12: A vast potential exists for two-way trade growth between Canada and Pakistan, the Canadian industry minister, Allan Rock, said on Sunday.

Speaking at a news conference after opening the new Islamabad office of a Canadian telecom agency, he said: “I am here to celebrate the warm and growing partnership between Canadian technology and Pakistani expertise.”

The Canadian industries minister is currently visiting Pakistan with a delegation, comprising senior policy advisor Heidi Hulan, parliamentarian Raymond Simond, special assistant Mandy Maghera and senior policy officer Dyan Cross.

Speaking about investment opportunities in Pakistan, Mr Rock said there was good scope for Canadian companies to invest in aerospace, gas, financial services, information technology sectors, and that there was no limit as to the amount of investment.

He described optic fibre as a gift to Pakistan from his country. The new optic fibre operation will provide high-speed broadband internet and wireless services, loaded with opportunities for opening highway communication with the government, health, education and E-commerce, he said.

He said his visit aimed at broadening the contact between Canadian and Pakistani businessmen as well as gaining better appreciation of Canadian presence in Pakistan.

Replying to a question about law and order situation in Pakistan, Mr Rock said, obviously, there were challenges, but Canadian business firms, some of which had been in Pakistan for the last 10 years, had successes.

He said another objective of his visit was to seek Pakistani investment in Canada and, for this purpose, he would have a meeting at Karachi with a number of local businessmen.

On Tuesday, the Canadian minister is scheduled to visit Lahore where he will have meetings at the University of Management Sciences and the Chamber of Commerce and Industries. And, on Wednesday, he is expected to have meetings with PIA chairman and the Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries at Karachi.

Engineer Kamran Khan Yusufzai, president of Canada-based Association of Pakistan-Canada Engineers and Professionals, was also present at the news conference. He said initiative on part of Pakistani businessmen could bring in about $3 billion investment, but there was lethargy in the country.