Dutch envoy underlines need to enhance trade cooperation
Says both countries should work together to take advantage of GSP Plus
PHOTO: REUTERS
KARACHI:
Stressing on Pakistan’s trade advantage due to the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) plus scheme granted by the European Union (EU), Ambassador of the Netherlands Jeannette Seppen has said that this is a chance the two countries (Pakistan and Netherlands) should not miss out on.
“We can only encourage Pakistani traders to work closely with the government and all other stakeholders in the field of trade to ensure that all 27 conventions attached to GSP Plus are really implemented,” said Seppen.
“It is Pakistan, itself, that has signed up to it which shows the country’s determination and we are also here to help,” she added while exchanging views during her visit to the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI).
The Dutch Ambassador said some reputable international and Dutch NGOs are also here to support Pakistan when it comes to women’s rights, freedom of expression and a number of other issues, particularly labour rights and labour conditions.
She underscored the need to make collective efforts to improve Pakistan’s image and make this country an even more attractive market to buy from.
Highlighting Dutch interest in different sectors, she pointed out that there was tremendous potential to enhance trade and investment cooperation and work together in the agriculture, dairy, livestock, horticulture, shipping, ports, maritime infrastructure, water management and the energy sectors.
“There are a few fields where Pakistan and Netherlands can grow together, a lot is already going on and a lot more can be done, which is our firm conviction,” she added.
She said that Netherlands was very serious about enhancing trade ties with the business and industrial community of Karachi. Many Dutch multinationals including shipping companies were successfully operating from Karachi who have been fantastic ambassadors of Netherlands whereas Dutch dredgers were also engaged in carrying out dredging at Port Qasim.
“Our ties go way back and there is a bright future ahead of us as we find ourselves in a very favourable environment,” she added.
Seppen said that despite some pessimism, trade balance between Pakistan and the Netherlands remains ‘very positive’ which, in the current economic circumstances, is really ‘remarkable’.
KCCI President Shamim Ahmed Firpo said that Pakistan and Netherlands have been enjoying good trade relations as Pakistan’s export to Netherlands, during fiscal year 2015-16, was recorded at $555 million while its imports from Netherlands stood at $619 million.
“I believe there is a need to make more efforts for furthering the existing trade volume between the two countries,” he opined.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 22nd, 2016.
Stressing on Pakistan’s trade advantage due to the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) plus scheme granted by the European Union (EU), Ambassador of the Netherlands Jeannette Seppen has said that this is a chance the two countries (Pakistan and Netherlands) should not miss out on.
“We can only encourage Pakistani traders to work closely with the government and all other stakeholders in the field of trade to ensure that all 27 conventions attached to GSP Plus are really implemented,” said Seppen.
“It is Pakistan, itself, that has signed up to it which shows the country’s determination and we are also here to help,” she added while exchanging views during her visit to the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI).
The Dutch Ambassador said some reputable international and Dutch NGOs are also here to support Pakistan when it comes to women’s rights, freedom of expression and a number of other issues, particularly labour rights and labour conditions.
She underscored the need to make collective efforts to improve Pakistan’s image and make this country an even more attractive market to buy from.
Highlighting Dutch interest in different sectors, she pointed out that there was tremendous potential to enhance trade and investment cooperation and work together in the agriculture, dairy, livestock, horticulture, shipping, ports, maritime infrastructure, water management and the energy sectors.
“There are a few fields where Pakistan and Netherlands can grow together, a lot is already going on and a lot more can be done, which is our firm conviction,” she added.
She said that Netherlands was very serious about enhancing trade ties with the business and industrial community of Karachi. Many Dutch multinationals including shipping companies were successfully operating from Karachi who have been fantastic ambassadors of Netherlands whereas Dutch dredgers were also engaged in carrying out dredging at Port Qasim.
“Our ties go way back and there is a bright future ahead of us as we find ourselves in a very favourable environment,” she added.
Seppen said that despite some pessimism, trade balance between Pakistan and the Netherlands remains ‘very positive’ which, in the current economic circumstances, is really ‘remarkable’.
KCCI President Shamim Ahmed Firpo said that Pakistan and Netherlands have been enjoying good trade relations as Pakistan’s export to Netherlands, during fiscal year 2015-16, was recorded at $555 million while its imports from Netherlands stood at $619 million.
“I believe there is a need to make more efforts for furthering the existing trade volume between the two countries,” he opined.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 22nd, 2016.