Romania to open Karachi consulate soon

Romanian Ambassador to Pakistan said that Romania will soon reopen its consulate in Karachi to facilitate trade.

Romanian Ambassador to Pakistan Emilian Ion has said that Romania will soon reopen its consulate in Karachi to facilitate businessmen and increase trade with Pakistan. Trade ties have been marred by lack of information sharing between the two countries, he said.

He was speaking to businessmen at the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) on Saturday.

“Karachi with a population of around 20 million, equal to the whole population of Romania, has immense potential to help facilitate trade and commerce between Romania and Pakistan,” Ion said.

He asked the KCCI to send a delegation of businessmen to Romania so that information sharing between chambers of the two countries could be improved. “The process of reopening the consulate in Karachi is already under way, which will help Pakistani businessmen in getting visa and other issues,” he said.

Romania is committed to improving bilateral trade between the two countries. “We deeply desire to improve trade relations between Pakistan and Romania and for this we have recently signed a trade agreement and another is in the pipeline,” he added.

The two countries can collaborate in information technology, pharmaceutical, textile and agriculture sectors where they have equally strong private sectors, Ion said.

KCCI President Abdul Majid Haji Muhammad highlighted the historical trade links between the two countries that dated back to 1964 when proper diplomatic relations were yet to be established.

“The historical friendly relations and trade links between the two countries can be translated into huge trade in future,” he said.

Pakistan exports apparels and other textile items to Romania while Romania exports sunflower seeds, machinery and chemicals to Pakistan. Total annual trade between the two countries is around $64 million, he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 27^th, 2010.