France expresses interest in improving trade ties

Will arrange NOCs for business community, says ambassador

MULTAN: A no-objection certificate from 26 other member states of the European Union is required before issuing visa to businessmen, traders, exporters and other persons because this visa is valid for all 27 EU states. This was said by Ambassador of France in Pakistan Martine Dorance on Monday, after inaugurating an exhibition of local artisans organised by the Multan chamber.

Speaking to the business community at the Multan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), she said that the economic, political and diplomatic relations between the two countries are strengthening each day.

Pakistan has great potential to expand business relations with France as it was an important economy of the EU, said Dorance, adding that the Pakistani private sector should adopt a proactive approach to explore new avenues of promoting trade and exports with French counterparts.

“France is keen on boosting mutual trade ties with Pakistan,” said the ambassador.

Assuring of all-out efforts to increase mutual trade volume in favour of Pakistan, she said that the Pakistani business community should ensure maximum exports to France and other EU countries through France by taking full advantage of the GSP Plus status.

Dorance invited Multan exporters to divert their business activities to France and encouraged manufacturers, industrialists and exporters of south Punjab to participate in the international trade fairs and exhibition in France.

She witnessed the craftsmanship of the artisans and appreciated the skill of local artisans particularly women.

Also speaking on the occasion, MCCI President Khawaja Jalaluddin Roomi said that France was showing great interest in China-Pakistan Economic Corridor projects and his embassy would play an active role in bringing French investment to Pakistan.

Roomi said that bilateral trade worth $1.5 billion between France and Pakistan was not reflecting the true potential of the two countries and trade diversification was the way forward to further strengthen ties.

He said that many sectors of Pakistan’s economy including energy, agriculture, transport, construction, pharmaceutical, health, water and sanitisation and utilities offered great potential to foreign investors.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 6^th, 2016.

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