Untapped resources: Eastern European market calls out to local exporters

Bosnia may serve as gateway to other smaller states, says ambassador.

FAISALABAD: Due to their similar culture, Pakistani exporters can take advantage of the untapped resources of the unconventional Eastern European Market, said Lieutenant General (R) Muhammad Yousaf, Pakistan’s Ambassador designate to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Addressing representatives of the business and trade community at Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI), he said that there is no apparent obstacle in Bosnia’s membership to the European Union, however, during this interim period Pakistani exporters must establish strong business links with their concerned counterparts in that country.

Yousaf said that Pakistan and Bosnia have had cordial relations in the past. The Pakistani government has always extended help to Bosnia despite its own economic difficulties.



He recalled Pakistan’s help during the civil war in 1995-96.  He quoted another instance where Pakistan was the first country to send relief goods to Bosnia during floods in the country.

“Bosnia is comparatively a very small market,” he said. “However, it could serve as a jumping pad to penetrate into other small states like Croatia, Alabama, Serbia and Slovenia.”

He quoted his meeting with the Ambassador of Bosnia in Islamabad, and pointed out three sectors in which Pakistan could increase its exports to Bosnia.

Among these include textile, leather goods and construction materials. He said that Faisalabad could play a major role in exploiting the textile market of Bosnia. He also assured to remove hurdles in signing of the Preferential Trade Agreement between Pakistan and Bosnia. He acknowledged the extraordinary capability of Pakistani entrepreneurs.

He also spoke of local rice mills and the football industry of Sialkot, which are excellent examples of Pakistani exporters and industrialists.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 13^th, 2014.

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