Germany stresses collaboration in energy sector

Will arrange a tour in October for business-to-business contacts.

KARACHI:

Germany has suggested to Pakistan that the corporate sectors of the two countries can enter into joint ventures in many sectors, especially energy, where they should search for new opportunities.

Speaking at the SITE Association of Industry, German Consul General in Karachi Dr Tilo Klinner told businessmen that energy is a key area that requires collaborative efforts between Pakistani and German companies. In this connection, he said, Siemens Pakistan Engineering can play a vital role in finding solutions to energy shortages in Pakistan, especially in the SITE area, where a large amount of energy is consumed.

Klinner asked Pakistani companies interested in visiting Germany to speed up contacts with their counterparts. “A business tour is being arranged in October, which will be useful for business-to-business (B2B) contacts, as it will be an opportunity to meet people willing to invest in the energy sector,” he said.

However, he cautioned that German investors look at security and safety before collaborating with Pakistani counterparts, making it all the more important to create a secure environment to encourage foreign investors.

“Terrorism in Pakistan sends a wrong message to the world which discourages foreign direct investment,” he said.

Klinner also expressed his willingness to approach the Pakistan German Business Forum and assisting it in arranging vocational training courses for interested individuals.

While briefing the diplomat, Senior Vice Chairman and Chairman Diplomatic Affairs Sub-Committee of SITE Association of Industry Naseem Anwar highlighted the fact that scores of industries are running in this largest and oldest industrial estate of the country, and they had the potential to step up trade and investment with Germany.

He said Germany, being one of the biggest exporters of the world, and Pakistan, being a major producer of wheat, rice, cotton, milk and sugar, held ample potential to boost bilateral trade ties.

A lack of communication, dearth of B2B exchange programmes and less sharing of company information were underlined as areas the two sides should work on to improve commerce.

Other speakers also discussed the possibility of cooperation with around 200 German companies that are currently doing business in Dubai.

The SITE Association’s leaders also spoke about security measures undertaken by the body in association with the Sindh Government.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 21^st, 2013.

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