The French National Day which commemorates the storming of Bastille Prison by the inhabitants of Paris has a special significance not only for France but for the entire world. This day symbolises the victory of liberty and democracy over despotism for all peoples across the globe.
14 July 2007 will be an occasion for France and Pakistan to celebrate 60 years of the establishment of diplomatic relations between them. The relations between our two countries have never ceased to grow since then. Today they cover all possible fields, political, economic, cultural, educational, disaster relief, development aid etc.
The volume of trade between Pakistan and France has grown man fold during the last 4-5 years. Pakistan is the second biggest market in South Asia for French products. 16% of French exports to this region are destined to Pakistan. These exports consist mainly of capital goods, consumer goods and intermediary goods. Pakistan on its part is one of the leading exporters of textile products to France and more than 80% of its exports to France are in the textile and leather garments category.
Pakistan France Business Alliance (PFBA) which is the representative forum of Pakistani companies dealing with France and French companies working in Pakistan is endeavouring since its establishment in 1990 to promote economic and trade relations with France. It has more than 150 member companies which cover the entire spectrum of industrial, commercial and economic activities. Initially based in Karachi, Pakistan France Business Alliance has gradually increased its activities to the entire country. It has a Northern Chapter based in Lahore and the Capital Chapter based in Islamabad.
PFBA is a member of UCCIFE (The Union of French Chambers of Commerce Abroad). It has to its credit the joint organisation of an investor's conference in Paris in July 2002 which was attended by President Musharraf. More recently PFBA took a delegation of its member companies to France at the invitation of the Paris Chamber of Commerce, ADEPTA (Association of French Agro-food industry) and the Lyon Chamber of Commerce in March 2007. The purpose of taking this delegation to France was to portray the right image of Pakistan as a business friendly country as opposed to the media cliches which tend to project a one-sided image of our country. Major French companies now include Pakistan in their world-wide strategy and during our visits to the Paris and Lyon chambers we noted a great desire to avail the vast trade and investment opportunities which are opening up in Pakistan. Paris Chamber is planning a mission to Pakistan later this year. Similarly ADEPTA is planning a second series of seminars in Pakistan in September 2007 after the two seminars it held in Lahore and Karachi in November 2005.
PFBA is deeply indebted to the Economic Department of the Embassy of France for its help in strengthening the relations between the French and Pakistani private sectors.
I convey the best wishes of PFBA to the people of France on the occasion of their National Day and reiterate our commitment to promoting and strengthening the business ties with France.
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