Swedish envoy asks businesses to increase exports

Private sectors of both countries to enhance trade ties.


Our Correspondent February 10, 2014
The Swedish embassy in Islamabad and its consulate in Karachi are both trying to improve business links between both the countries, said envoy.PHOTO: FILE

KARACHI: Swedish Ambassador Tomas Rosader has urged exporters to diversify their exports to Sweden as well as to the European Union (EU) after the grant of GSP Plus status to Pakistan.

He said this while speaking to members of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) on Monday.

The EU granted the GSP Plus status to Pakistan on December 13 last year, which gives the benefit of zero-rated duties on products entering the EU. It came into effect from January 1, 2014.

“Sweden has always been a strong supporter of Pakistan in the EU,” said Rosader. He further said his country provided Pakistan with full support in granting GSP Plus in the 28-nation trading bloc.

Underscoring the need for further improving trade ties between Pakistan and Sweden, he said he was optimistic this could be done keeping in view the existing great potential for trade enhancement.

The ambassador pointed out that Karachi is a well-known city due to its size and economic contribution in the national exchequer of Pakistan. “Karachi city holds a huge consumer base and a strong middle class which play an important role in the economy, which encourages businessmen to invest in this region,” he said.

The Swedish embassy in Islamabad and its consulate in Karachi are both trying to improve business links between both the countries, he added.

In response to a question, the Swedish Ambassador said that a lot depends on the private sector of the countries to enhance trade ties as the governments can only facilitate them.

Swedish government is supporting people to people contact between the two countries so that more and more businessmen, academia, experts, scholars and professionals can travel between Pakistan and Sweden.

“For the period 2000 to 2010, around 10,000 Pakistani students visited Sweden for studies and they are now playing an important role in Pakistan’s economy,” he informed.

President KCCI Abdullah Zaki appreciated the Swedish government’s support. “It is high time that Pakistani exporters, besides exporting traditional textile products, must focus on exporting other goods to the EU,” he added.

Pakistan can export pulp to Sweden. Moreover, pharmaceutical and surgical products can also be exported that will certainly improve the export volumes to Sweden.

“We need to look for ways and means to enhance current trade volume of just $300 million, which is heavily in favour of Sweden. We must take steps to at least balance it,” added Abdullah.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 11th, 2014.

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