Sada-e-Watan
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H.E.Tim George Launched Pakistan-Australia Business Forum at Pearl Continental Lahore
The Australia’s High
Commissioner to Pakistan His Excellency Tim George said that his country would
continue support economic development of Pakistan. Speaking at the website
launching ceremony of Pakistan-Australia Business Forum at the Pearl Continental
Lahore. Tim George said the website would help highlight the potential of trade
and investment between the two countries.
Speaking at the occasion, the high commissioner Tim George stated that the forum
had previously been launched 10 years back, but was inactive. Tim George stated
that Australia is very keen on investing in Pakistan, particularly in the
agriculture and mining sector, with a special focus on coal mining and
technology. He also stated that Australia was already investing in the education
sector in Pakistan, but wished to do more.
Mr Tim George said, “Already, there are many Australian businesses active in
Pakistan, and many more Pakistani companies are trading with Australia. I see
great potential to expand further the bilateral commercial relationship.”
He said that the forum will be an excellent way to build links between
businesses in Australia and Pakistan, and would complement established
government-to-government linkages like the Australia-Pakistan Joint Trade
Committee. At its second meeting in Islamabad in February, the JTC discussed a
range of requests by Pakistan for access to the Australian market and
cooperation in energy and agriculture sectors, including the successful
Agriculture Sector Linkages Program. The two sides also discussed a range of
other ways to help to boost trade and investment.
The High Commissioner of Australia said that trade ties between the countries
were being given a boost, as a 40 member delegation of the Punjab investment
board was set to visit Australia in June. 30 of the delegation members would be
from the private sector, while 10 would be representing the government.
The bilateral trade between Pakistan and Australia grew by 16 per cent last year
to Rs67 billion and has the potential to grow even further, he said.
“The bottom line is this - the more trade we can build between our countries,
the greater will be the economic impact and the more jobs we will create in
Australia and in Pakistan,” he added.
He also spoke about how economic integration in the Asia-Pacific region and the
liberalisation of trade and investment helped to unleash the full potential of
the Australian economy. Although these reforms were not easy, the average
Australian family was much better off as a result.
Tim George said that Australia had provided 75 million Australian dollars to
Pakistan since the massive earthquake of 2005 to the devastating floods of
2010.He said that Australia was supporting Pakistan in defence and education
sector by training armed forces and giving scholarships to over 5,000 students.
He said Australia is the third largest destination for Pakistanis studying
abroad after the US and UK.
Australia’s Senior Trade Commissioner to South Asia, Peter Linford said the
international media created negative perception about Pakistan. He said the
scenario in Pakistan was entirely different what was portrayed by the western
media. He said Pakistan has great investment potential which needed to be
exploited.
During the reception, Australia’s
Honorary Consul in Lahore and Chairman of Netsol Mr. Salim Ghauri spoke about
Australia’s relations with Pakistan and the benefits of increased bilateral
trade. Major investment groups
from Australia and Pakistan, and corporate executives were in attendance at the
reception.
For visit Aus-Pak business forum's website, Please click here
Australia's High Commissioner to Pakistan His Excellency Tim George
PABF Chairman Pervez Madraswala, His Excellency Tim George and PABF Secretary Usman Sadiq
Chairman
of the Pakistan Australia Business Forum Mr.Pervez H Madraswala
