In an exclusive statement to Libya Herald yesterday, the Chairman of Misrata Chamber of Commerce, Fathi Al-Turki, said Misrata seeks to transform cooperation with Pakistan into trade and investment partnerships.
The statement came on the back of Misrata Chamber’s meeting yesterday, headed by Al-Turki, of the Pakistani Ambassador, Mumtaz Hussain, and his accompanying delegation at the Chamber’s headquarters.
The talks discussed ways to enhance economic and trade cooperation and focused on exploring investment and partnership opportunities between Libyan and Pakistani companies to boost trade and open new horizons for the private sector in both nations.
Speaking to Libya Herald, Al-Turki noted that the meeting falls within the Chamber’s efforts to strengthen economic and trade ties with friendly nations and to create new opportunities for the Libyan private sector to benefit from cooperation and joint investment with Pakistani companies.
Streamlining visa procedures, recruitment of Pakistani labour
He explained that the discussions addressed several practical issues aimed at supporting bilateral trade, including streamlining visa procedures for businesspeople, organizing the recruitment of Pakistani labour for Libyan companies, and resolving challenges related to financial transfers and the opening of letters of credit.
Participation of Pakistani businesses in Libyan market and encouraged
Additionally, the talks covered encouraging company participation in trade exhibitions and facilitating the exchange of economic delegations. Al-Turki added that the Chamber welcomes the participation of Pakistani businesspeople and companies in the Libyan market and encourages them to capitalize on investment opportunities across various sectors. He emphasized the importance of creating a conducive environment for establishing direct ties between the business communities of both nations, thereby fostering the development of trade and investment partnerships.
Possibility of launching a direct maritime route linking Libya and Pakistan discussed
The two sides also discussed the possibility of launching a direct maritime route linking Libya and Pakistan. If implemented, this initiative would facilitate the transport of goods and the flow of products between the two markets, while also boosting trade exchange and strengthening economic relations.
Furthermore, the meeting addressed ways to coordinate official visits and economic delegations, as well as how to enhance the presence of Libyan and Pakistani companies at trade exhibitions organized by both countries. Such efforts would showcase available products and services and allow for the exploration of cooperation opportunities in areas of mutual interest.
Importance of moving beyond discussions to practical steps
Al-Turki underscored the importance of moving beyond discussions to practical steps that enable businesspeople and companies to explore available opportunities and build sustainable partnerships. He highlighted the Chamber’s role in fostering communication between the local business community and its international counterparts, as well as in facilitating trade and investment relationships that serve mutual interests.
The visit concluded with a tour of the Chamber’s administrative building for the Pakistani Ambassador, followed by an exchange of commemorative gifts between the two parties.
The meeting was attended by the Management Committee’s Deputy Chairman, Abdulmajid Al-Tahir Balaou; committee member Ihab Al-Hadi Al-Owaib; the Director of the Foreign Relations and International Cooperation Office, Yousef Abdulqadir Abushiba; and the Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs office in Misrata, Hussein Al-Saadawi.