The African diplomats including High Commissioner of Kenya Professor Julius Kibet Bitok, High Commissioner of Nigeria General Ashimiyu Adebayo Olaniyi (Retd), Ambassador of Sudan Tageldin Elhadi Eltahir, Ambassador of Somali Khadija Mohammed Al-Makhzoumi and High Commissioner of Mauritius Rasid Ally Soobadar expressed these views while speaking at "Look Africa Trade Forum" joint organized by the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry and Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP).
Diplomats said that Pakistan's trade with Africa is minor that should be enhanced. They said that establishment of new commercial sections in Africa can help in this regard. They said that Pakistani pharmaceutical, textile, agriculture, rice, wheat and cement have a lot of scope in African market.
Speaking on the occasion, TDAP Director General Mian Riaz Ahmad said the government is determined to help the exporters for exploring the African markets and pledged its support for enhancing the bilateral trade between Pakistan and the African countries.
The Secretary Commerce has taken initiative for enhancing trade with African countries and Look Africa Trade Forums across the country and hence have been successful in creating awareness among the exporters about the trade opportunities which exists in the non traditional markets, he added.
He said the government is considering opening new commercial sections in Africa including in Egypt, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Sudan, and Algeria in first phase. "The government will also focus on enhanced facilitation for the Pakistani companies' participation in trade fairs in Africa and to initiate negotiations on bilateral/ multilateral trade agreements for market access in Africa", he added.
Joint Secretary Ministry of Commerce, Maria Qazi made a presentation on the African markets with regard to Pakistan exports.
She apprised the participants about the scope and opportunities of business potential in the African markets for the Pakistani business community.
Earlier, LCCI President Malik Tahir Javaid said the Pakistani products can easily make way to Africa which is world's second-largest and second-most populous continent.
The trade analysis of last two years shows that overall trade of Pakistan with different African countries is following decreasing trend as both imports and exports are falling, he added.
From 2015 to 2016, the value of overall trade decreased from US $3.23 billion to $2.91 billion on account of 15.7 percent fall in exports and 4.7 percent fall in imports from Africa, he added.
He said Pakistan needs to make concerted efforts to reverse this trend. It can be made possible with efforts done by private sector coupled with some assistance provided by the respective embassies of African group and relevant public organizations of our country, he added.
"We have been emphasizing on product and market diversification. Pakistani business community should be made aware of it that there are incalculable market opportunities available in Africa. Look Africa Trade Forum can serve as a good source for networking," he said.
Malik Tahir Javaid said that African countries can greatly benefit from Pakistan's experience and expertise in the fields of infrastructure development, agriculture, auto-parts, light engineering, pharmaceuticals, banking and information technology.
Pakistan's education sector, particularly professional institutes can provide excellent opportunities and venues to the students belonging to the African countries to learn modern sciences and arts.
He said the specific role of embassies cannot be ignored at all in this connection. With the help of influence and unique importance of embassies, things can be turned towards a certain direction for ensuring mutual benefits. Similarly, when CPEC gets fully functional, it will also cut down transit time and transportation charges to send exports via sea route to Africa.