Asia Pulse, KARACHI – Canadian Minister for Industry and Trade Allan Rock said his country is interested in offshore oil exploration in Pakistan, in addition to other areas of mutual interest.
Rock was talking to reporters Thursday at a local hotel after the signing of an agreement of cooperation between the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) and the Canada-Pakistan Business Council.
He said the current volume of trade between the two countries was not enough and should be increased through mutually beneficial programmes. Rock said there was scope of growth of trade and commerce between Canada and Pakistan, provided proper exploration was carried out.
As far as Pakistan is concerned, Rock said he knows the market and areas that can be of interest to Canada, but that real growth would be possible if both sides came forward with concrete business proposals. He added that he did not have a dollar-specific target for bilateral trade, but would like to see the growth in terms of dollars as well.
Rock talked about liberalization and deregulation in the communications sector, identifying it as one of the major areas for cooperation. Rock said the agreement of cooperation signed between the FPCCI and Canada-Pakistan Business Council would provide impetus to trade activities.
Speaking after the signing of the agreement, the Canadian minister congratulated the two bodies both on his behalf and on behalf of the Canadian government.
