Trade: A GSP Plus for Sialkot

German ambassador says efforts would be made to help Pakistani exporters.


APP January 30, 2014
German companies are ready to establish joint ventures in Pakistan in different fields, said the German ambassador. PHOTO: FILE

SIALKOT: Ambassador of Germany in Pakistan Dr Cyrill Nunn has said all-out efforts will be made to ensure an easy and hurdle-free access for Sialkot exporters into the international markets.

Nunn stated this while talking to industrialists and exporters in Sialkot during a visit to several leading industrial units here on Thursday.

The ambassador said there would be investments in Pakistan by different companies of Germany as they had shown a keen interest, especially in the energy sector.

He said several German companies were ready to establish joint ventures with the Sialkot business community in different trade fields.  “Both countries have enjoyed good friendly and cordial trade relations, and the time is ripe to further strengthen the mutual trade ties,” said Nunn.

Later, addressing a meeting of Sialkot exporters held at the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), the ambassador said Germany fully favoured and supported Pakistan over its GSP Plus status.

He said the country intended to develop and strengthen mutual trade relations with Pakistan and would ensure easy access for Sialkot exporters to the European Union (EU) and German markets.

Pakistani exporters emphasised that both countries needed to further strengthen economic relations through facilitation of governments and close coordination of private sectors. They were of the view that the German market had a big demand for items produced in Sialkot, creating great potential for establishing joint ventures and business cooperation between the two countries especially in fields of sports goods, surgical instruments and leather products.

SCCI President Dr Sarfraz Bashir said Sialkot-made footballs, field hockey sticks, cricket gear and boxing gloves were used in international games, including global events. “Most of the developed countries are importing surgical instruments from Sialkot,” said Bashir. “In leather products and textile sportswear, we excel in quality and style.”

Earlier, Nunn visited the Sialkot International Airport and several leading industrial units. He said that Sialkot exporters had great potential to explore and capture the EU markets by exporting their diversified traditional and non-traditional items.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 31st,  2014.

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COMMENTS (2)

Abdullah | 10 years ago | Reply

@Iqbal Aftab: Indeed

Iqbal Aftab | 10 years ago | Reply

Germany always remain a hub for exporting leather items and sports goods, Germany is also a great partner and a friend for Pakistan Exports. A monumental or roadside should be built or be named in the name of friendship of Pakistan and Germany at Sialkot. Germany also loves and have honour for Dr. Allama Iqbal and there is a history of that, so look forward for a more deeper and better relations with Germany not only in trade and commerce but also in strategic building relations in future. There is a need for Germany to also come forward in pharmaceutical, energy sector, constructions, car manufacturing and IT sector. We appreciate Germany for there deep interest in development of Pakistan.

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