A renowned businessman and Chairman Ashraf Group of Companies Ijaz Khokhar hosted the ambassador at his residence. Ijaz briefed the ambassador about Sialkot potential in various fields
DNA
SIALKOT: Ambassador of Nepal Tapas Adhikari visited Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry and had an interaction with Mr. Abdul Gafoor Malik, President of the Chamber, and other executive members.
A renowned businessman and Chairman Ashraf Group of Companies Ijaz Khokhar hosted the ambassador at his residence. Ijaz briefed the ambassador about the Sialkot potential in various fields.
During the interaction, the ambassador appreciated the contribution of Sialkot entrepreneurs making Sialkot as a hub of sports goods, surgical items, and kitchen cutlery products in Pakistan.
He shared the intention to learn business from Sialkot and invited the business community to visit Nepal to participate in the forthcoming Nepal Chamber Expo-2024 in March and in the Investment Summit in April 2024.
The participation of Sialkot entrepreneurs would open a new avenue of bilateral business promotion, investment, and technology transfer that the Government of Nepal is ready to extend all kinds of support to foreign direct investment.
He further said that Sialkot could be a role model for Nepali people that it has emerged from a small town to a global business hub because of the hard work, innovation, and entrepreneurship of its people.
The ambassador opined that Nepal and Pakistan need more economic engagements and as Ambassador of Nepal, I want to tap the business opportunity in Pakistan that could be beneficial to both countries.
He also shared that recently Nepal has been able to export 6-container of Nepali tea to the Pakistani market after decades. I further said that the meeting would be very beneficial for the business communities of both countries and would open a new avenue of cooperation.
The ambassador said that Nepal is a tourist hub of South Asia and invited them to visit Nepal for business purposes as well as family and friends for holiday since Nepal is close, hospitable and has an easy visa regime for Pakistani nationals. Moreover, I shared that Nepali Sherpas are sharing their skills and expertise with Pakistani mountaineers and every year they bring a large number of foreign mountaineers in Pakistan which is becoming beneficial for Pakistani people.
Abdul Ghafoor Malik, President SCCI while welcoming me said that Nepal and Pakistan share cordial relations and this year would mark 64 years of strong bilateral relations, based on mutual respect, deep understanding, and a shared vision for peace and socio-economic progress of both countries.
President SCCI said that both the countries need to focus on further enhancing our economic ties, and there was an ample scope of opportunities waiting to be explored.
The ambassador also visited FIFA World cup football manufacturer ‘Forward’, surgical equipment manufacturer ‘Elmed’ and sports garment manufacturer ‘Rajco’ production units.
Sialkot, a city of 7-lakh population, is an industrial hub of Pakistan which exports 2.5 billion US dollars, in particular sports goods, surgical items, and kitchen cutlery. Sialkot exports ten percent of Pakistani export.
Sialkot is labeled as the football manufacturing capital of the world supplying 70 percent of global demand. It produces the sports goods of Adidas, Nike, Reebok, Puma, and other various brands. Small manufacturing units contribute a large share of exports and provide one third of employment to the residents of the city. Sialkot has its own private sector invested in public airports, dry ports, and airlines to promote business.
