Enhancing ties: German ambassador stresses bilateral relations

Offers helping hand to enhance trade with Pakistan.

RAWALPINDI: Germany has offered to extend cooperation in vital sectors of the economy such as the energy, education and vocational sector, in an effort to help Pakistan progress in these fields.

“We can assist Pakistan in energy, education and vocational training,” said German Ambassador to Pakistan Dr Cyrill Nunn while addressing a gathering at the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI).

Nunn pointed out that Germany, being a major trade partner of Pakistan in the European market, would continue to extend its diplomatic and political support to help explore more avenues for bilateral business.



Nunn said Pakistan’s newly-acquired GSP Plus status will help the country increase its existing trade volume in European markets, highlighting textile, leather and wooden products’ high credentials in the international market.

He stressed the need for an increase in the exchange of business delegations between the two countries on a regular basis and, for this, the relevant chambers can play a vital role.

Praising the efforts of the RCCI in holding single-country trade exhibitions abroad, he said the German embassy in Pakistan would provide all possible assistance to it in arranging such a moot in Germany.

“Pakistan, being a country with over 180 million people, is a big market for the world and 2014 will prove to be the year of trade for Pakistan and Germany.”



RCCI President Dr Shimail Daud Arain thanked the government of Germany for providing assistance in the bio-gas sector and expressed hope that the cooperation would go a long way in furthering the bilateral relations.

“Currently the import bill of Pakistan from Germany is around $1.175 billion while the exports with the country are $1.147, which can be further enhanced.”

According to Arain, Pakistani gems and pharmaceutical sectors are highly valued in the international market and need to be developed further.

He said that RCCI had been striving to find out new ways for increasing exports. He urged the authorities concerned to devise new strategies for brining improvement in the livestock sector.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 16^th, 2014.

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