French envoy reveals action plan to boost mutual trade

Says helping businessmen, easing visa processing are among his key plans

LAHORE: The French ambassador to Pakistan announced that his primary goal is to promote trade between Pakistan and France, for which he has evolved an action plan.

Speaking during his visit to the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), French Ambassador to Pakistan Dr Marc Barety said that helping French and Pakistani businessmen visit each other’s country, exchange of valuable trade, business and investment-related information and easing visa processing are among his plans to boost mutual trade relations.

The French envoy informed the gathering that the new French president is taking various initiatives for economic stability of the country. He said that regulations are being simplified to improved ease of doing business in France. A tax scheme has also been given to reduce the number of taxes, he added.

Barety was of the view that Pakistan needs to make its perception better as a number of French companies are shy of coming here. He said that French travel advisory for businessmen should be changed as Pakistan, particularly Punjab, is a safe place for business. He also called for product diversification saying that most of the trade between the two countries is in the textile sector.



Speaking on the occasion, LCCI President Malik Tahir Javaid said that the business community is well aware of the significance of France in the European Union.

While sharing some trade figures, the LCCI president said that in 2015, the total volume of bilateral trade was $778 million, which surged to $817 million in 2016. The main reason for that increase was  a consistent rise both in imports and exports to France.

Javaid invited French investors to take full advantage of Pakistan that is a profound blend of best geographical location and trade and investment opportunities.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 19^th, 2018.

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