Helping hand: Greece and Pakistan need to work closely, says envoy

Ambassador Mavroidis stresses need for bilateral trade.

LAHORE:

After China, Denmark and Germany, Greece Ambassador to Pakistan Petros Mavroidis has said that the two countries need to improve their commercial and economic relations and promote bilateral trade by taking advantage of new business opportunities.

The ambassador acknowledged both countries’ potential while speaking to Lahore Chambers of Commerce and Industry President Engineer Sohail Lashari during a visit here on Saturday.

Mavroidis said that cooperation in solar energy, liquefied natural gas, tourism, agriculture and infrastructure could help strengthen economic relations between the two countries.

He highlighted that the current annual bilateral trade between Greece and Pakistan was very low, which needs to be enhanced by exploring areas of common interest. “Greece enjoys great experience in the tourism sector,” said Mavroidis. “Therefore, Pakistani businessmen should avail this opportunity to create a win-win situation for the two countries in the shortest possible time.”



The ambassador also pointed out the geographic and strategic significance of the country. “Greece is situated at a very important place and any investment made there could help open up countless business avenues.”

In response, Lashari said that this was the right time to focus on non-traditional markets, adding that frequent exchanges of business delegations and establishing direct business are options that should be used to exploit untapped bilateral trade and investment potential in both countries.

He said that the mutual trade in terms of value between Greece and Pakistan meagerly averages around $73 million.

Currently, Pakistan is in positive balance of trade with its exports to Greece averaging around $56 million and imports averaging around $18 million.

“We need to adopt modern and progressive marketing techniques substantiated with properly targeted research activities with result-oriented follow-up,” said the LCCI president.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 19^th, 2014.

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