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By Imran Rana
FAISALABAD: Australia has said that it
will open a trade office in Faisalabad and immediately lower customs duties on
imports from Pakistan – steps that are aimed at giving a boost to bilateral
trade.
Speaking at the Faisalabad Chamber of
Commerce and Industry (FCCI) on Thursday, Acting High Commissioner of Australia
Paul Molloy also announced that his country would provide $100 million in aid
for various development projects in Pakistan.
He promised that visa concerns, highlighted
by FCCI members, would be addressed and asked the business community of both
sides to try to deepen trade ties.
He assured that he would facilitate the visit
of an FCCI trade delegation to Australia. Australia had a liberal investment
policy and an open economy, he said.
Molloy said more than 100 students of
Pakistan were getting Australian scholarships every year.
FCCI Vice-President Rehan Naseem Bharara,
while highlighting the tremendous trade potential between the two countries,
stressed the need for Australia to give special market access to Pakistan,
which is suffering a lot as a partner in the war against terror.
In order to strengthen economic activities,
he said, exchange of trade delegations and joint trade fairs were a
prerequisite.
Agriculture support
At another event, Paul Molloy, while
addressing scientists at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF),
affirmed that Australia would continue to support and develop the agricultural
sector of Pakistan.
“UAF is working with different Australian
organisations on various projects that will bring prosperity, especially for
the farmers,” he said.
He asked the scientists to keep working with
commitment and share their innovative ideas with Australia for attracting funds
in order to excel in different sectors that would pave the way for development.
“Idea is an issue, but money is not,” he remarked.
Speaking on the occasion, UAF Vice Chancellor
Dr Iqrar Ahmad announced that Lorry Water House’s chair would be established at
the campus soon to address genetic and breeding issues of various crops.
“UAF is a partner and beneficiary of the
Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research project and engaged
in citrus and mango research activities. We need to expand our areas in order
to address various issues including water, energy and climatic changes,” he
suggested.
However, Ahmad pointed out that the same
Australian research programme in India was quite diversified, covering a wide
range of activities with a special focus on food security, water resources and
climatic changes. He called for introducing the programme on the same pattern
in Pakistan.
Ahmad said UAF would send 10 PhD students to
the University of Sydney in the near future to strengthen their capabilities,
which would help Pakistan cope with agricultural problems.
Published in The Express Tribune
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