‘Pakistan needs to meet certain rules’

ISLAMABAD: Ambassador-designate to  the Czech Republic, Aitzaz Ahmed, has said to get a better market share in Europe, Pakistani entrepreneurs will have to meet certain requirements including value addition of products, getting ISO certifications and ensuring proper labeling of products, which are preferred by European customers.

Talking to businessmen at the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), he said that being a strong economy of Central Europe, the Czech Republic is a potential market for Pakistani products.

He said there is a lot of scope for Pakistan to promote export of vegetable and organic food products which are in high demand in Europe due to health consciousness.

Ahmed said he will play a positive role in facilitating businessmen of both countries for establishing direct contacts for exploring areas of mutual interest.

“We need strong and reliable partners in Pakistan to promote long-term trade relations with the Czech Republic.” He said Pakistani products such as chemical, paper, rubber, sports goods and textile products are quite popular in the Czech Republic.

Speaking on the occasion, Karim Aziz Malik, Acting President ICCI, said that the current level of trade between Pakistan and the Czech Republic needs more concrete steps on both sides to increase it up to the potential.

He said lack of information about business opportunities in foreign countries is a big issue and this is the area where Pakistani foreign missions can play a key role by providing right information to the chambers of commerce. ONLINE

Published in The Express Tribune, July 11^th, 2010.