Commercial relations: ‘Portugal wants increased trade with Pakistan’

Ambassador offers technological assistance in major sectors

ISLAMABAD: Portugal’s Ambassador to Pakistan Joao Paulo Marques Sabido Costa said on Thursday that Portugal wants to enhance bilateral trade with Pakistan in view of the high potential between the two countries.

Costa also stressed the importance of exchanging trade delegations and promoting business to business linkages to explore new areas of mutual cooperation, while addressing the business community at Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICC).



He said that being a hi-tech country, Portugal is ready to provide technology and machinery to Pakistan in various sectors including agriculture, textile, marble, water resources, building and construction, adding that Portugal is close to EU and Sub-Saharan countries and Pakistan should develop close cooperation with it to get better market access to European and African regions.

Costa  highlighted Pakistani Basmati rice and food products as being ‘quite popular’ in Portugal, while asking Pakistan to focus on promoting more products to Portuguese market under GSP Plus scheme.

He said Portugal has offered a Golden Visa Program to attract investment in real estate sector and Pakistani investors should take benefit of this program. He said Portugal has PTAs with many countries and by investing in Portugal; Pakistani investors can promote exports to Europe, Africa, Canada and other regions. He said the ICCI should form a delegation for Portugal to explore new business opportunities.



Speaking at the occasion, Sheikh Amir Waheed, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that trade volume between Pakistan and Portugal was not encouraging and stressed that both countries should promote strong connectivity between private sectors to identify untapped areas of mutual cooperation. He said Portugal should enhance the import of Pakistani products including textiles, garments, surgical instruments, sports goods, leather products, fruits & vegetables and other products to extend full benefits of GSP Plus to Pakistan.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 24^th, 2017.

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