Interactive Meeting with H E Mr Shaukat Aziz, Hon'ble Prime Minister of Pakistan
November 24, 2004 - New Delhi

Address by Mr Iftikhar Ali Malik, Immediate Past President, FPCCI

Mr. Shaukat Aziz, Honourable Prime Minister of Pakistan
Mr. Sunil Kant Munjal, President, Confederation of Indian Industry
Mr. Y. K. Modi, President, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry

A.A.

I feel honoured to address this august gathering of businessmen. I thank the FICCI & Cll for arranging this function. I also appreciate the efforts of the FICCI & CII in improving the business cooperation, understanding & confidence between the businessmen of both countries. This function arranged at the visit of Prime Minister of Pakistan to India will further pave way for enhancing cooperation in various sectors of economy on Government and Private Level.

The turn around of Pakistan's Economy is because the Chief Guest of this evening, our worthy Prime Minister and Former Finance Minister with his untiring sincere efforts. The Economy has improved which is evident in all indicators, for example Stock Exchanges / Banking sectors, Foreign Exchange Revenue, GDP Growth, all have shown tremendous improvement.

He enjoys full support of the Business Community of Pakistan and wherever he travels the Business Community Representatives are taken along with him and having regular interaction.

I am Confident that under the dynamic leadership of President General Parvez Musharraf & Prime Minister Mr. Shaukat Aziz as well as His Excellency Prime Minister of India Mr. Manmohan Singh all core issues between India & Pakistan are settled amicably & both the Governments will have the support of Businessmen of both sides.

Being close neighbour we also have other advantages, which I would like to discuss under the head cooperation among SAARC countries.

In the shape of SAARC we have an effective organization, which has an effective SAARC Chamber of Commerce that has provided an opportunity to the countries of South Asia to enhance coordination among themselves for the development of their economies. Moreover, the geographical proximity has interwoven them facilitating to achieve the objective of cooperation easily & meaningfully. I shall be failing in my duty if I don't mention Mr. Jamil Magoon, Vice President, SAARC, the force behind the activities of SAARC Chamber.

Because of similar history, this cooperation could envelope a number of sectors responsible for socio-economic development like education, sharing of experiences in agriculture and industry, banking and transportation, trade and tourism, Environment.

Exchange of delegations be encouraged by relaxing visa restrictions. I do not plead the free movement at the initial stage but plead for relaxation. Exchange of delegations or individual visits of businessmen are necessary because through personal visits they could judge the marketability of their products or the products they should import in the native country. Personal interaction always helps improve understanding and understanding creates confidence, which is necessary for success of economic cooperation.

We are glad that India has made tremendous progress in Information Technology and hi-tech exports, Pakistan could learn a lot from their Experience. The Indian Businessmen and Industrialists can establish Joint Venture in Pakistan, which will encourage & support the Domestic Industry of Pakistan. Cooperation among the Vendor Industry could also be encouraged. Delegation Programme could be shared as well. India could succeed in offering turnkey projects in Environment field. With this cooperation we will be able to utilize our natural resources within the countries and make exports of value added items in a competitive atmosphere in both the countries.

The facilities available in one country should be allowed to other member countries without undue restrictions. For example port could be an important facility for a land locked country. The countries having ports should allow import/export facility to the land locked member countries, which will obviously help increase mutual cooperation.

In the end I once again thank the FICCI & CII for their courtesy and hospitality and the welcome they always extend to the incoming businessmen.

Thanks