Pakistan should dig into Latin American markets through Cuba

Islamabad: Republic of Cuba has invited Pakistani business community to explore opportunities in the upcoming international expo being held in Havana.

Pakistani business community can have a chance to build bridges with participants from seventy countries which are taking part in this mega event, said Ambassador of Cuba to Pakistan Jesus Zenen Buergo Concepcion.

Talking to a delegation of businessmen led by President FPCCI Zakria Usman, we want enhanced commercial, political and cultural ties with Pakistan.

Mr. Concepcion said that Pakistani textiles, sports goods, surgical instruments, leather goods, handicrafts, marble and rice are greatly admired in his country but the volume of bilateral trade does not reflect our cordial ties.

He said that he will push the Cuba Chamber of Commerce for linkages and exchange of delegations with FPCCI. Health and medical education system of Cuba was considered one of the best in the world and we desire to upgrade Pakistani system to that level, he offered.

The Ambassador said that Cuba has offered biggest ever fully paid scholarship programme to Pakistani students who have shown outstanding performance among students of 105 countries undergoing studies there.

The ambassador said relations between Pakistan and Cuba were based on mutual trust and confidence; our ties are growing that must be converted into trade and economic cooperation. He said Pakistan is victim of disinformation spread by foreign media which is contrary to the ground realities. He thanked Islamabad for supporting a UN resolution for lifting of embargoes on Cuba.

At the occasion, President FPCCI Zakria Usman demanded transfer of medical related technology and training facility to local technicians.

He thanked Cuban support after the 2005 earthquake, provision of free education to Pakistani students, support during the dengue outbreak and its services in promotion of sports in Pakistan.

The FPCCI chief assured that Pakistani business community will participate in Cuban expo to evaluate to opportunities as a region of 600 million people with over five trillion dollars of combined GDP cannot be ignored.