KARACHI: A three-day single country Thailand Exhibition kicked-off on Saturday with 50 companies showcasing their products.

Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) President Muffasar Atta Malik inaugurated the exhibition along with Khun Apipan Cheecharoen, the Acting Consul General of Royal Thai Consulate-General in Karachi.The KCCI president called for increasing bilateral trade volume. Imports from Thailand have risen to $1.4 billion in 2017 against $1bn last year. However, exports to Thailand increased by 24.4 per cent to $148.3m from $119.2m, he added.

Pakistan exports yarn and fibres, chemicals, finished oils, edible meat to Thailand. Khun Apipan said Pakistan offers attractive opportunities to investors from across the globe. The population’s major segment comprises of young people and a vibrant middle class that is a major attraction for the international investors and makes it major market in Asia.

On the pending free trade agreement between the two countries, Honorary Trade Adviser to Thailand Arif Suleman said that he was hopeful it would be signed by next year.

Published in Dawn, September 2nd, 2018