Pakistan African Business Assocation (PABA) Announces Prestigious Diplomatic Excellence Award -2016 For Ambassador Dauda Dnladi, MNI For Playing Pioneer Role To Strengthen Trade And Investment Between Pakistan And Nigeria During 2012-2015
In a recent meeting held in Pakistan’s Provincial Capital, Lahore , Mr. Zafar Mahmood Chaudhary, President, Pakistan African Business Association (PABA) has proudly announced the prestigious “Diplomatic Excellency Award-2016” for Ambassador Dauda Danladni, mni, Former Nigerian High Commissioner to Pakistan in recognition of Ambassador Danladi’s hard work, commitment and dedication to strengthen “Trade and Investment Potentials between Pakistan and Nigeria” during his Diplomatic Assignment (2012-2015) in Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
Mr. Zafar Mahmood Chaudhary, President, Pakistan African Business Association (PABA) has also appealed the Government of Federal Republic of Nigeria and Nigerian President, His Excellency Muhammadu Buhari to honor Ambassador Dauda Danladi, mni with Nigerian National Merit Award-2016 for boosting trade, economic and defense ties between Pakistan and Nigeria.
Mr. Zafar Mahmood Chaudhary, President, Pakistan African Business Association (PABA) said, “Words cannot adequately express my joy and pride to announce that Pakistan African Business Association (PABA) holds in high esteem the personal efforts of Ambassador Dauda Danladi, mni to educate and mobilize Pakistani Investors and Industrialists to Federal Republic of Nigeria that culminated in enhancement of trade volume from the negligible point of US $ 80 Million in 2012 to US $ 500 Million in 2015”.
He said , “I still remembers my first meeting with Ambassador Dauda Danladi, mni in the beginning of 2013 in which Ambassador Danlaidi said, “The trade volume is very low between Pakistan and Nigeria. We must take it to, at least, US $ One billion per year because the scope is there and we have the capacity, this is something that can be achieved and it must be achieved”. Ambassador Danladi, mni urged both Pakistani and Nigerian businessmen to become agents of Economic Change, Investment and Development in building a better future for present and future generations of Pakistan and Nigeria.
Mr. Zafar Mahmood Chaudhary, President, Pakistan African Business Association (PABA) added that Islamic Republic of Pakistan and Federal Republic of Nigeria are members of Developing Nations (D-8 Countries) and both the countries have the potential to collaborate in trade and investment area which is highly beneficial for Federal Republic of Nigeria to achieve the ultimate goal of “Emerging Economic Tiger of African Continent”.
Although, diplomatic relations were established between Pakistan and Nigeria in the 60s , it has not translated into a robust trade and investment. However, bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries have considerably strengthened between 2012-2015 that resulted in enhancement of trade volume from US 80 Million to US 500 Million. The major credit of this achievement goes to the personal efforts of the former Nigerian High Commissioner to Pakistan, Ambassador Dauda Danladi, mni, who mobilized the entire Pakistan Chambers of Commerce, the Business Community and Government Officials to move to Nigeria in various trade and investment fields.
At his occasion, President (PABA), Mr. Zafar Mahmood Chaudhary briefly highlighted the glorious achievements of Ambassador Dauda Danladi, mni that were recorded during his Diplomatic Tenure (2012-2015) in Pakistan.
Ambassador Dauda Danladi, mni took a smooth flight in January, 2013 and visited almost all important Chambers of Commerce in KPK Province, Punjab Province and Sindh Province including Islamabad and Rawalpindi Chambers, notably KPK Chamber of Commerce, Peshawar, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Lahore, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Karachi and Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI).
He adopted strategies of simplifying visa formalities for Pakistani businessmen, showcasing the investment potentials in Nigeria along with a jingle and engaging both Pakistani and Nigeria media to raise awareness on Investment Opportunities in Nigeria for Pakistani Investors. This strategy proved so successful and made a headway that the same year in 2013, Ambassador Dauda Danladi, mni took a huge Trade Delegation to Nigeria consisting of over 50 Pakistani Investors and Industrialists who are currently contributing significantly in Nigerian Economy in various fields such as Agro-based Industries, Agricultural Machinery like tractors, Fertilizers, Rice Processing, Sports Goods, Textile Garments, Surgical Equipments and Pharmaceuticals.
It will be recalled that President Mamnoon Hussain of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan along with 70-Member Trade Delegation were in Nigeria in 2014 for the first time since the establishment of diplomatic relations. This visit, being the first in the history of Nigeria - Pakistan bilateral relations was initiated by Ambassador Dauda Danladi, mni Former Nigerian High Commissioner to Pakistan. During that historic visit, Agreements in the areas of Agricultural Production, Textile, Industrial Cooperation, Defence Production, Culture and Tourism and the Control of Illicit Trafficking of hard drugs among others were signed.
Mr. Zafar Mahmood Chaudhary, President (PABA) also called on the Governments of Pakistan and Nigeria to set up “Focus Groups” from both countries to fast track the implementation of the Agreements signed during the State Visit of President of Pakistan, His Excellency Mamnoon Hussain to Nigeria in 2014 besides initiating Nigeria-Pakistan Joint Chamber of Commerce & Industry as this Agreement was signed in Abuja during President of Pakistan’s visit to Nigeria in 2014 for more prosperous “Economic Relations” between Pakistan and Nigeria.
He said President of Pakistan visit to Nigeria in 2014 was the personal achievement of Ambassador Dauda Danladi, mni that also resulted in the establishment of Commercial Section in Abuja and it gave a new impetus to Pakistan-Nigeria Trade Relations.