KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange marked a milestone in Pakistan-Canada economic ties as Samir Dossal, president of the Canada Pakistan Business Council, rang the opening bell at a ceremonial gong event on Tuesday to celebrate bilateral trade crossing $1 billion dollars.
Addressing the ceremony, Dossal thanked PSX Chairman Ruhail Muhamad and Managing Director and CEO Farrukh Sabzwari, and acknowledged PSX director and CPBC board member Nadeem Naqvi for strengthening engagement between Canadian investors and Pakistan’s capital market.
He said the strong performance of the stock market sent a positive signal to Canadian businesses assessing investment opportunities in Pakistan.Dossal noted that Pakistan’s large consumer base and the Canadian diaspora of Pakistani origin offered strong potential for two-way trade, investment and skills exchange. He said bilateral trade had expanded from 300 million dollars in 2012 to over one billion dollars annually, reflecting growing commercial confidence.
Highlighting key sectors, he said regulatory hurdles had been resolved to allow the arrival of 500,000 tonnes of Canadian canola at Karachi port, crediting senior leadership in both countries for coordination.
He also pointed to progress in education and innovation through an academic partnership between NED University and Toronto Metropolitan University, as well as the growing footprint of Canadian franchises including Tim Hortons, Mary Brown’s Chicken and Second Cup.
Concluding his remarks, Dossal said Canada and Pakistan were building a shared economic future, not just trading goods. CPBC said it would continue to support deeper commercial and institutional links between the two countries.
