ISLAMABAD: Yemen Ambassador to Pakistan, Mohammad Motahar Alashabi intimated Yemen’s interest in promoting trade ties with Pakistan, noting that the current volume of bilateral trade was quite low.
He was talking during a seminar with the business community at the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI).
He said Pakistan was an important country for the Arab world including Yemen. He remarked that Yemen was importing rice and textiles products from Pakistan but Pakistan had the potential to enhance export of its services including medical and engineering services to Yemen.
The ambassador pointed out that both countries had many commonalities which should be translated into growing trade relations. He added that Yemen’s market was quite open, suggesting that Pakistani businessmen should focus on quality and price to compete in Yemen.
Speaking on the occasion, ICCI Senior Vice President Khalid Malik said that Pakistan’s exports to Yemen had increased from nearly $100 million in 2009-2010 to $164 million in 2010-2011; however there was great scope to further improve bilateral trade.
