Johannesburg: Pakistan Southern Africa Trade Federation in collaboration with High Commission of Pakistan in South Africa hosted reception to participants of 120th National Management Course on foreign study tour.

PSATF efforts were made to make this visit of top government officials of Pakistan effective in collaboration with local business community so that trade and investment environment in Africa could be improved for Pakistani business community.  During meeting, members of delegation discussed Pak-Africa relations, especially visa, work permit and promotion of bilateral trade. Delegation, which is on study tour to Kenya and South Africa was led by Dr. Naveed Ahmad Chaudhry, Directing Staff NMC government of Pakistan. Bilal Ahmad Butt (PAS Group) Syed Khurram Ali (PSP Group)  Syed Khurram Ali (PSP Group),  Iram Tanvir (INF Group) Muhammad Ejaz-ul-Haq (PA&NS Group),  Aftab Muhammad Khan (SG Group), Iram Masroor (IRS Group) and Aurangzeb Adil  (EXE NA Group) among members. Purpose of visit to South Africa is to create awareness about problems of Pakistani community living in Africa and to formulate proposals for their solutions and to suggest measures to promote country’s exports and investment. Industrialists Rai Ali Intikhab and Mehtab Khan also took part in management of this event.  Rai Ali Intikhab welcomed guests and thanked them for their attending event. Muhammad Rafiq Memon founder Chairman Pakistan Southern Africa Trade Federation said that Federation since last ten years, has been functioning as only organised and active trading entity not only in South Africa but also in whole of Southern Africa and now East Africa.

  He made various proposals for increasing bilateral trade between Pakistan and South Africa, emphasising need of visit of at least two or three high-level delegations at government level to Africa in order to highlight and resolve problems of business community regarding trade policies, Memorandum of Understanding and visas. He urged delegation that Trade Development Authority of Pakistan, Ministry of Commerce and Foreign Affairs should make bilateral trade agreements with African Government as African continent in various fields as continent’s trade volume is about 800 billion dollars and various sectors where trade is done includes textiles, engineering, sports goods, surgical equipment, food, confectionery, auto engineering parts, cement, sanitary items, cutlery, rice medical equipment, mining, skill development and IT.  Dr. Naveed Ahmad Chaudhry leader of delegation of Pakistani officers, appreciated work of Pakistan Southern Africa Trade Federation. He urged traders and investors living in South Africa, to invest in Pakistan which he said would open doors of stability and development. 

Deputy High Commissioner of Pakistan to South Africa Fahad Amjad assured full cooperation from his mission. He said that Pakistan mission’s full cooperation with Pakistan Southern Africa Trade Federation and local community will continue in future. Saleem Shakoor thanked guests.