Puyo, 28 March 2022 (TDI): The Ambassador of Pakistan to Argentina, Muhammad Khalid Ejaz, addressed a gathering in the city of Puyo, Pastaza province, Ecuador.
The Ambassador addressed the gathering on the occasion of Pakistan Day celebrations. The address was held online via a video link.
He expressed gratitude to the Governor, the members of the provincial assembly, and other participants who joined the Pakistani community for Pakistan Day celebrations. Moreover, the Ambassador specially thanked Khalid Mehmood, the chief organizer of the event.
The Embassy of Pakistan to Argentina, located in Buenos Aires, is also accredited to other South American countries, including Chile, Peru Ecuador, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
Pakistan-Ecuador ties
Pakistan enjoys friendly diplomatic relations with Ecuador. The South American country is an active member of the World Trade Organization. Furthermore, its participation in a number of regional agreements reflects the country’s move towards liberalization and open trade.
According to the website of the Embassy of Pakistan in Argentina, there are around 200 Pakistanis living in Ecuador. Most of them work in small businesses. Many live around the two largest cities, Quito and Guayaquil.
Ecuador is significant to Pakistan’s increasing efforts of opening up new avenues of cooperation and investment opportunities. Both countries have similar views on the issue of UN reforms and the expansion of the Security Council.
Moreover, Ecuador expressed its intention of enhancing bilateral trade with Pakistan in 2018. The Ecuadorian Ambassador, German Alejandro Ortega Almeida expressed this during his visit to the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
He said that a reason for nominal trade between the two countries is the lack of contact among the private sector, and stressed that both should focus on frequent exchanges of trade delegations to explore new areas of mutual cooperation.
Pakistan’s main exports to the country include textiles, surgical, sports goods, leather products, and carpets. While Pakistan imports iron and steel residue, food industry, animal fodder, and rubber from Ecuador. This trade is very nominal, but efforts are ongoing to increase the trade.
