United Business Group Secretary General Zafar Bakhtawari, former Vice President of Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry Ahsan Bakhtawari and Secretary General of PTI Traders Wing Islamabad Waqar Bakhtawari at his embassy

DNA

ISLAMABAD: Azerbaijan Ambassador Khazer Farhadov has said that the private sector of Pakistan, Azerbaijan and Turkey should work together to promote trade, economy and investment within these countries. 

He expressed these views during a meeting with United Business Group  Secretary General Zafar Bakhtawari, former Vice President of Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry Ahsan Bakhtawari and Secretary General of PTI Traders Wing Islamabad Waqar Bakhtawari at his embassy in Islamabad.

 The Ambassador of Azerbaijan further said that air, railway and road links between Pakistan and Azerbaijan need to be established and he assured to  pay special attention to these projects. He further said that the trade volume between Pakistan and Azerbaijan is just 14 million US dollars which is not up to the mark and there is a huge potential for expansion in various sectors. Recently, it has established a link between Pakistan’s rice exporters and Azerbaijan’s rice importers, which will yield better results.

 UBG Secretary General Zafar Bakhtawari said that Pakistan, Turkey and Azerbaijan are three countries while they are one nation and they will soon try to bring the private sector of the three countries closer by holding Pakistan, Turkey and Azerbaijan Business Forum. 

 Zafar Bakhtawari also called for the establishment of direct air links between Pakistan and Azerbaijan.  Ahsan Bakhtawari, former vice president of the ICCI, said that the exchange of business community delegations is important for the promotion of trade between the two countries he said that they would have virtual contacts before visiting Azerbaijan with a business delegation.

 Waqar Bakhtawari, Secretary General, PTI Traders Wing, Islamabad, apprised the Ambassador of the problems faced by the two countries in terms of cargo shipment .he said that  air cargo is too expensive,  road and railway links are not working and sea route is much difficult for trade. special attention to build the  infrastructure is required in this regard.

 Zafar Bakhtawari presented his book “Jahan Dost” which includes articles on Pakistan-Azerbaijan to the Ambassador of Azerbaijan.