Envoy designate vows to promote exports to Netherlands

Promises to encourage Dutch investors to explore Pakistan for joint ventures, investment

ISLAMABAD:

The government is focusing on trade diplomacy to promote Pakistan’s trade and exports with foreign countries, said Pakistan’s Ambassador-Designate to the Netherlands Suljuk Mustansar Tarar.

Speaking to the business community at the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), he promised to cooperate with the private sector to promote Pakistan’s trade with the Netherlands.

“Although it is still uncertain how European economies, including the Netherlands, would shape up after the Covid-19 pandemic, but I will focus on diversification of Pakistan’s trade and exports with the Netherlands,” he said. To fulfil this purpose, he stated that he would share trade opportunities with the Ministry of Commerce and business chambers so that the business community of Pakistan could benefit from them.

He vowed to encourage Dutch investors to explore Pakistan for joint ventures and investment. “Extra efforts are needed to increase Pakistan’s export base and the private sector has to play a vital role to achieve this goal,” he said.

He also shared plans to search new opportunities for Pakistan’s private sector in the European nation to facilitate Pakistan’s exports.

Speaking on the occasion, ICCI President Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan said that Prime Minister Imran Khan was passionate for promoting Pakistan’s trade and exports.

He called upon relevant ministries and Pakistani missions in foreign countries to adopt a proactive approach to support the private sector in tapping its actual export potential.

Citing figures, he said Pakistan’s bilateral trade with the Netherlands stood at $1 billion which was not reflective of the true potential of both countries.

“Textiles are a major export of Pakistan to the Netherlands but with government’s support, we can ship many other products to Amsterdam such as pharmaceuticals, marble and granite, IT products and surgical instruments,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 27^th, 2021.

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