LAHORE: Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI) President Malik Tahir Javed, Senior Vice President Khawaja Khawar Rasheed and Vice President Zeeshan Khalil urged the Pakistan International Airline (PIA) to start maximum direct flights between Lahore and Guangzhou to gain huge economic paybacks.
In a statement on Thursday, they said that though a private airline was operating twice a week for Guangzhou, it is not enough to cater needs of businessmen. They said that direct air links between Lahore and Guangzhou by the national flag carrier would give immense benefits to both Pakistan and China.
They said that Guangzhou was one of the most important cities of China which has huge trade, investment and joint venture opportunities for the Pakistani businessmen. They said that direct air links between the two economic hubs of Pakistan and China would also help to balance the trade.
They said that over 75 per cent of businesses around the globe preferred air services to serve the international market.
They said that air transport between Lahore and Guangzhou would help Pakistani entrepreneurs to meet clients in the shortest time and to promote their products.
The LCCI office-bearers said that Guangzhou was as the financial and industrial centre of China while special economic zones had added to its importance.
They said that with the introduction of advanced technology and the upgrade of light textiles, food, medicine, building materials and other traditional industries, many new industries and high-tech industries represented by electronic communications, electrical appliances, fine chemical industries and petrochemical products were developing rapidly.
They said that these industries had opportunities of joint ventures at vast scale for Pakistani businessmen.