KARACHI: The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) on Tuesday called for streamlining visa procedures and business-to-business links with Oman to fully realize Islamabad’s trade potential with Muscat. 

The request by FPCCI President Atif Ikram Sheikh comes as Pakistan’s top trade body gears up to hold a major Single Country Exhibition in the Gulf country in January next year. The FPCCI will organize the exhibition with the help of the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI).

The exhibition will showcase Pakistan’s diversified export strength, from the IT and engineering sectors to agriculture and textiles, according to FPCCI Vice President Saquib Fayyaz Magoon. 

“Mr. Atif Ikram Sheikh, President FPCCI, has said that the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI) has made a strong plea for the streamlining of business visa procedures with the Sultanate of Oman, stressing the issue a major requirement to achieve the true potential of Pak-Oman economic relations,” the FPCCI said in a statement. 

Sheikh stressed that Pakistan views Oman as a “crucial strategic partner” and gateway to the wider Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, Africa and Europe. 

The FPCCI highlighted that during the recent Oman National Day celebrations in Karachi, the Gulf country’s consulate general said both countries are working toward operationalizing a ferry service for the ease of business, cultural and people-to-people exchanges. 

“Sheikh Syed Fayyaz Ali Shah, Sheikh of the Pakistani-Omani community, expressed his willingness to facilitate any issues or bottlenecks faced by the business community of Pakistan in travel, joint ventures, investments, human resource export, licensing and other matters vis-a-vis establishing their businesses or exports,” the FPCCI said. 
 
Aman Paracha, FPCCI vice president, said the exhibition’s focus will be ensuring maximum B2B opportunities to bridge existing trade opportunities and diversify Pakistan’s imports and exports.

“FPCCI remains optimistic that, through collaborative efforts between the diplomatic and commercial bodies, the economic relationship between the two brotherly countries will soon reflect the true potential of their ties,” the statement said.