The fifth Pakistan-Africa Trade Development Conference (PATDC) and “Made in Pakistan” exhibition” kicked off on Thursday in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, with the aim to enhance trade and economic cooperation.
Several African countries including Burundi, South Sudan, Djibouti, Kenya, Rwanda, Nigeria, Tanzania and Uganda took part in the conference which brought together high-level government officials, business leaders, investors and experts from Africa and Pakistan.
Speaking at the event, Pakistani Ambassador to Ethiopia Mian Atif Sharif said the conference is part of Pakistan government’s commitments to fostering trade and investment between Africa and Pakistan through its “Look Africa” policy.
“In acknowledgment of Africa’s big market comprising 1.4 billion people and a combined gross domestic product of $3.4 trillion, owning 50 percent of global minerals and Arable land, Africa is indeed an emerging power of the world and Pakistan attaches immense importance fostering economic cooperation, social and political relations with Africa,” Sharif said.
According to the ambassador, Africa and Pakistan have a lot to work together in the area of culture, education, and health and tourism development.
Under “Look Africa”, the government of Pakistan aims to find alternate markets for its goods and enhance government-to-government and business-to-business ties with countries in the African region.
Ethiopian minister of transport and logistics Alemu Sime said that Africa with its resources, potentials is a great attraction for investments while Pakistan with its strategic position, skilled labour and vast potentials will be the right development partner for the continent.
The conference also hosts a “Made in Pakistan” exhibition attracting 115 Pakistani exhibitors from various sectors, including textiles, food products, agriculture, pharmaceuticals and surgical instruments, medical equipment and beauty supplies.
More than 55 companies participated for the first time.
The exhibition has created opportunities for trade enhancement and signing joint ventures deals between African and Pakistani businessmen in multiple sectors of mutual interest.
MG/as/APA