FPCCI calls for joint strategy to develop regional business clusters

Pakistani industrial clusters offer great opportunities: Zubair Ahmed Malik

FPCCI, AIAI signs MOU for cross-border cooperation, partnership

Dated: Sept 24

President Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Zubair Ahmed Malik on Tuesday called for a regional strategy for cooperation and collaboration in cluster development in South Asia.   

He asked the government and business community of the Saarc countries to enhance cooperation to achieve the shared goal of development in today's globalized world.

The FPCCI chief said this while speaking at the 3rd Global Economic Summit (GES) with the theme, ‘Clusters in One World - Perspectives from Many Nations’, being held at World Trade Centre in Mumbai, India.

He said that Pakistani industrial clusters play a vital role in earning foreign exchange which include textiles, sports goods, leather, gemstones, surgical instruments, hunting equipment and cutlery which have come up against a number of unique Pakistan-specific, regional and international challenges.

Zubair Ahmed Malik said that our small and medium-sized business clusters offer great opportunities for collaboration, trade and investment.

Evidence suggests that industrial clusters are the key contributors to the socio-economic development therefore cluster promotion has become an important plank of national and international policies but the Saarc region has been lagging behind in it, he noted.

He said that Sialkot and Jalandhar can join hands to produce quality sports goods, primarily in the area of hand-stitched balls and footballs while New Delhi can assist us with the technology needed to upgrade surgical sector. Various cities in and around Maharashtra are close to Pakistan that may be able to explore opportunities for collaboration.

Zubair Ahmed Malik said that we should organised more events in which experts can share their insights. We need to increase interaction, learn and teach new technologies, address policy issues, develop partnerships and promote entrepreneurship, increase productivity and help companies compete nationally and globally, he added.

Meanwhile, Zubair Ahmed Malik and President All India Association of Industries (AIAI) Mr Vijay Kalantri signed a MOU during the summit to promote and facilitate trade and investment, exchange information, hold B2B meetings, strengthen economic relations and develop unique partnership models.

It was also decided that FPCCI will be returning to Mumbai with Made in Pakistan Expo shortly in collaboration of AIAI.