Australian High Commissioner to Pakistan Mr. Peter Heyward at the Pakistan Australia Business Forum (PABF) said that the government of Australia intends to facilitate Pakistan by changing its tariff regime by greatly cutting tariffs on the import of Pakistani textiles beginning next year. The maximum tariff to be imposed would be five percent.

This step would also help Pakistan in balancing its trade which is still in favour of Australia

The Forum is a key partner in strengthening bilateral relations between Pakistan and Australia. It represents wider Pakistani business community while showcasing Australia and the business opportunities . It helps promote growth in bilateral trade and investment while they expect to see high level political visits in both directions late this year and early in the next.

Australia will continue to encourage Pakistani business people to look at the opportunities that exist and take advantage of them to grow their own businesses.

Meanwhile, Mr. Patrick Kearins, the Trade Commissioner at the Australian High Commission said that Australian companies are willing to impart technical training to Pakistani youth that would also help Pakistanis to reduce unemployment and develop their career. Australian companies would help Pakistan in bilateral trade, education, agriculture, livestock and in energy sector.

Pakistan has unique position in the region and good potential while trade relationship would help both the countries in promoting trade. Pakistan can take advantage of Australian technology especially in the field of energy, engineering and livestock.

The energy sector had been especially earmarked for cooperation between the two countries, saying that Australian companies were internationally renowned in the field. Education and training was another field of endeavor he mentioned and said that currently there were half-a-million foreign students pursuing studies at Australian seats of learning. Australia, he said, would take all steps to facilitate the entry of Pakistani students into Australian universities.

Earlier Mr. Pervez H. Madrazwala, Chairman PABF said that the forum is all about Pak-Australia business relationship they want to extend more business cooperation in agriculture, engineering, electronic and electrical fields, dairy and livestock business. Pakistan has lot of potential in these fields especially – textile.

The PABF welcomes new members to join this forum to explore Pak-Australia bilateral trade through this forum. The forum will support business people and provide the details about the business environment in Australia. The business people are advised that if they visited Australia as a tourist they would find more opportunities of business. PABF have total 46 permanent and three associate members and the base is growing.