ICCI for enhancing cooperation with Maldives in tourism, food,construction Sectors

As a part of an initiative to encourage bilateral dialogues between Pakistan and Maldives, a delegation of Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) led by Mohammad Tauseef Zaman, Vice President ICCI visited Maldives.

Mr. Tauseef Zaman said that Pakistan was keen to set up joint ventures with Maldives as mutual trade relation between two countries would bring a positive aspect on the region’s trade.

Mr. Zaman said that Pakistan is bestowed with finest quality agriculture crops and construction materials including sand, cement and marble which has a great potential for Maldives market. He vowed to make all his efforts to bring closer the traders and other business entities of the two countries. He added that due to the proximity, India has practiced hegemony over Maldives market, with limited quota system that did not fulfill the demand of the country.

He emphasized on having a direct consignment line from Karachi to Maldives to boost the trade. The other members of the delegation Mr. Kashif Malik and Mr. Tariq Junaid exchanged their views about their respective fields with the Deputy Minister.

On the occasion, Mr. Ali Rasheed Hussain, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Economic Development Maldives has said that Maldives economy was mainly based on tourism which has created a tremendous demand for food and construction commodities. He stressed upon taking some collective steps to strengthen the trade ties between the two countries. He appreciated the effort done by the delegation and welcomed more businessmen to visit the country as exchange of information was need of the moment.

The Minister said that 30 percent discount on custom duty would be given to the consignments reaching newly developed port. He said that Maldives has offered great investment opportunities in tourism and construction industries. Sri Lankan and Indian investors were taking full advantage of the situation and recently Indians were building the new airport at Maldives, he added.

He said that most of the resorts were built by direct foreign investments, however none of these resorts were owned by Pakistanis. Minister said that the Government was willing to allocate dedicated iselands for Pakistani Investors, where they could have all the advantages of the direct foreign investments.

Maldives is a Country with 100 percent Muslim population who desirous to cooperate and collaborate with Pakistan in all sectors of trade and industry. Maldives Imports all food and industrial needs from overseas, and would be glad to imports from Pakistan in future, he said.