‘Pakistan has attractive investment avenues’

French MPs say country has a huge economic potential, perfect geographical location

LAHORE: A delegation of French parliamentarians has found attractive investment opportunities for foreign businessmen in Pakistan as the South Asian country has a huge untapped economic potential.

“Back in France, we would be Pakistan’s ambassadors as it has a huge untapped economic potential and perfect geographical location,” said members of the parliamentary delegation while visiting the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI).

They emphasised that France valued high its relations with Pakistan and was keen to further strengthen economic ties as Pakistan was an important country of the region.



They underlined the need for close contacts between businessmen through the use of modern technology like video conferencing in order to develop deep and lasting linkages and networks for sharing each other’s experiences.

The parliamentarians gave assurances to the businessmen that they would play their role in increasing bilateral trade between the two countries. LCCI President Malik Tahir Javaid appreciated the initiative taken by the leadership of the France-Pakistan Friendship Group, which was on a visit to Pakistan to promote two-way trade and investment.

France is western Europe’s largest country by area. Including overseas regions, it ranks 41st in size in the world. Being Europe’s third largest economy, its nominal gross domestic product (GDP) is the seventh largest in the world at more than $2.4 trillion.

“Unlike past, the democratic set-up in Pakistan faced highs and lows in a sensible way. Pakistan is all set to gain further political stability in the years to come. We hope we will soon start reaping fruits of political maturity,” Javaid said.



While highlighting trade figures, he said in 2015, the total volume of bilateral trade stood at $778 million which surged to $817 million in 2016. The main reason for the increase was a consistent rise in both imports and exports to France.

He emphasised that the trend should continue, the balance of trade should be in favour of Pakistan and its products should have easy access to the markets of France.

Rejecting the picture of Pakistan mostly painted by the international media, the LCCI chief urged the parliamentary delegation to share the actual perception about Pakistan.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 14^th, 2017.

Like Business on Facebook, follow @TribuneBiz on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.