TORONTO, July 9 A four-day exhibition of Pakistani products began here on Thursday, with Syed Mohibullah Shah, chief executive of Trade Development Authority, urging the Canadian government to sign a free trade agreement with his country.

“Ottawa should sign FTA with Islamabad as it did with Jordan a few days ago,” Shah said while speaking at the inaugural ceremony of Canada Pakistani Trade Expo-2009.

As many as 62 Pakistani companies are displaying their high-quality items at the exhibition which will continue till July 12 at Toronto Congress Centre.

The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), with the cooperation of Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), and Pakistani Consulate General in Toronto has organised the event.

Welcoming Canada's free trade agreement with Jordan, Mohibullah Shah said his country wishes to have a similar deal with Ottawa for expansion of two-way trade.

He said if signed, the FTA would not only strengthen ties but will also boost trade between Pakistan and Canada.
“It will be a win-win situation for both the countries.”

Canada's Minister of International Trade Stockwell Day signed the free trade agreement in Amman on June 28 and declared the FTA would expand Canada-Jordan trade and help further strengthen bilateral relationship.

Commenting on the agreement, a Canadian government official said “An FTA with Jordan demonstrates Canada's support for a moderate Arab state that promotes peace and stability in the Middle East.”

Mohibullah Shah pointed out that Pakistan has been waging war against terror to ensure peace in the region. He further said that Pakistan being a front-line state against terror has suffered a huge loss.

“Its economy has been suffering a loss of nearly six billion dollars every year and that's why we are making a case that Canada and other countries should give concessions to Pakistani exporters.”

Earlier, FPCCI President Sultan Ahmed Chawla and S M Muneer, a leading Pakistani industrialist, also addressed the gathering.