Need for enhancing Pak-Vietnam trade ties voiced
By Adnan Rafique

ISLAMABAD—A Vietnam delegation led by Vice Minister of trade visited Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry and addressed the traders and industrialists of Federal Capital. Nasir Khan President Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry welcomed the delegation.
Vice Minister of trade of Vietnam, Mr. Do Nhu Dinh, while addressing the traders and industrialists said that in 1990 the volume of trade between Pakistan and Vietnam was only 10 Million US dollars which has reached to 80 Million US dollars in 2005. He hoped that the two-way trade volume would reach 100 million dollars by next year. He told the meeting that Vietnam started economic reforms in 1986 which fetched positive results.
He further informed that they started efforts to become member of WTO in 1995 and hopefully Vietnam would get membership by 7 November, 2006. He said that that Vietnam has become politically and economically sound country and Vietnam government is aggressively taking key measures to further strengthen its economy.
The Minister said that with the visits of high officials from the both government, the trade activities are picking up momentum and suggested that there should be regular exchange of trade delegation to know each other markets. He highlighted that flow of information between the two countries is limited, which need to be accelerated trough Chamber of Commerce and government of each countries, so that businessmen should be aware of the potential that exists in the Pakistan and Vietnam.
Nasir Khan President Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry addressing the meeting said Pakistan private sector plays an important role in economic development of a country. He said that strength and power of nations are gauged by their economic might and the time of wars for gaining hegemony over each other, is over.
He said that wars are not being fought on the battle grounds, but on the factory floors and market places in the developed world. He hoped that both the countries will positive measures to increase the bilateral trade. He further said that WTO is a big challenge for Pakistan industry and highly appreciated the efforts of the present government in providing a level playing field to the business community. He highlighted that Pakistan is now marching ahead on the road towards peace, progress and prosperity with growth oriented economic policies of the government.
He invited Vietnam businessmen to invest in Pakistan in the sectors of telecommunication, energy, real estate, oil and gas and information technology. He said that Pakistan has set a export target of 18.6 billion US dollars for the current fiscal year, which is expected to be achieved easily. He further said that opening of Vietnam trade office in Pakistan will help increase trade between both the countries. He proposed that both the countries should exchange trade delegations and arrange single country exhibition.