Rawalpindi: South Africa High Commissioner Methuthuzeli Madikiza has said that South Africa considers Pakistan an important market for trade cooperation and is keen to further enhance bilateral trade with it as the two countries have good potential for trade in many areas. Pakistan is the 14th big exporter to South Africa. He said that the trade relations between the two countries, Pakistan, South Africa, the Chamber of Commerce and the private sector needed to be further strengthened.

The high Commissioner expressed these views during his visit to the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) here on Thursday. He was accompanied by Deputy head of Mission and Political Consular, Christo Janse Van Noordwyk. President of the Chamber Muhammad Nasir Mirza, Senior Vice President Usman Ashraf, Vice President Shahraiz A Malik, members of the executive committee and chamber members were also present on the occasion.

During the meeting, the High Commissioner said that the volume of bilateral trade could increase to one billion dollars in the next few years. Cooperation and joint ventures can be initiated in other sectors, including tourism, agriculture, pharmaceuticals and services. The efforts of the Rawalpindi Chamber in expanding trade activities and promoting trade relations are commendable. The High Commission considers the Rawalpindi Chamber as an important partner for promoting trade ties. The Corona epidemic has affected trade activities in many parts of the world. Meeting new challenges requires joint efforts and cooperation, he added. The high Commissioner offered RCCI to organize its annual achievements awards in Cape Town and also accepted the invitation to participate in Build Expo 2021 being organized by the Chamber.

Earlier, Chamber President Nasir Mirza briefed the High Commissioner about the ongoing activities and future programs of the Chamber. He said that the Chamber had successfully conducted the trade forum with African Countries through a virtual platform despite the Corona epidemic. Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) were also signed with South Africa and the Minara Chamber on the sidelines of the International Chambers Summit (ICS 2021). In order to increase trade with South Africa, trade related information should be shared and exchanged at the delegation level, he suggested. He also apprised the High Commissioner about the investment opportunities in Pakistan. Joint ventures can also be launched in the fields of information technology and construction, including pharma, marble, engineering, poultry and textiles, he further added.