ISLAMABAD: The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) and other business bodies have welcomed the commencement of a direct air link between Pakistan and Kazakhstan on Saturday as it would help enhance bilateral economic cooperation.

It would prove to be useful in forging mutual business and economic integration with Kazakhstan and other Central Asian states. FPPCI President, Irfan Iqbal Malik, said while talking to this agency.

He said two flights in a week from Almaty, the industrial hub of Kazakhstan, to Lahore, would help enhance economic activities.

He said the Kazakhstan ambassador Yerzan Kistafin deserved appreciation for playing an important role in the launch of a direct air link between the two brotherly countries. Chamber of commerce Presidents from different cities agreed that the direct flight link was a useful development and would help improve economic relations between the two countries.

Karachi Chamber of Commerce (KCCI) President Mohammad Tariq Yousaf said the business community of Karachi anticipates that this step would have a positive impact on trade relations with Kazakhstan and Central Asia.

Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry President, Kashif Anwar, said Kazakhstan was an important country in Central Asia and the direct flights between Lahore and Almaty would strengthen business relations between the two countries and all the credit in that regard goes to Ambassador Yerzan Kistafin.

President of the Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dr Khurram Tariq, said besides trade relations, the direct flight link would also help in enhancing tourism and cultural ties between the two countries.

President of Quetta Chamber of Commerce, Wali Muhammad Nozai, said such direct flights should be started between major cities of the two countries, including Quetta which had a historical connection with Central Asia.

President of Peshawar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Ijaz Afridi, said the PCCI welcomed direct air link between Lahore and Almaty as their businessmen would be commercially connected with Central Asia.

Published in Dawn, July 9th, 2023