Pakistan is a very important trade partner for Poland in South Asia and the country is deeply interested in further development of relations with Pakistan in all fields.
Speaking at a reception at his residence on the occasion of 90th anniversary of the Restoration of Poland's Independence, the Polish Consul General in Karachi, Ireneusz Makles, said that Pakistan has the potential to become major economic leader in Asia. Poland is a fast developing member of the European Union and wants to see greater trade and economic relations between the two countries.
Poland feels both nations have a lot to contribute to the world, he added. He said that there is interest and need for establishing joint ventures between Pakistan and Poland. Vast opportunities exist in the fields of textile, leather, furniture, clothing, construction, fisheries, food processing, beverages, pro-ecology projects, granite, marble, building materials.
He said that trade volume between the two countries shows upward tendency. In 2007, the bilateral trade volume was $127.5 million. The trade volume has touched $110.05 million in seven months (January-July) of 2008-09 and it is expected that it would increase to $200 million in the current calendar year, he added. Pakistan's strategic location as a regional hub, a principal gateway to the Central Asian Republics, a large consumer market, abundant natural resources, a talented and entrepreneurial people and a skilled and hardworking working labour offer enormous opportunities to foreign investors.
He said that Pakistan and Poland have 60-year long tradition of commercial co-operation. There are great opportunities waiting to be explored and further enhance trade relations between the two countries, he added.
The Polish Consul General said that Poland is keen to expand trade ties with Pakistan and cooperate in the fields of oil & gas, energy, mining, infrastructure, maritime, engineering, pharmaceuticals, chemicals and food processing sectors and development of small and medium enterprises (SMEs). He said that Poland can also supply electric equipment including diesel generators, railways equipment, agriculture machinery and spare parts, heavy vehicles and marine and diesel engines. "Pakistan and Poland have enormous potential, but we are not utilising these possibilities", he said, adding: "We should do much more to boost the trade and economic relations between both countries".
He said that Pakistan and Poland can complement each other to their strategic geographical positions. They can prove to be the base in each other's respective regions to enhance their trade relations with the neighbours. For Poland, Pakistan can serve as a launching board for its exports in South and Central Asia and for Pakistan, Poland can serve as the gateway to the Central and Eastern European countries. The Polish Consul General said that just after creation of Pakistan some Polish pilots assisted in the establishment of Pakistan Air Force.
During the Second World War there were two camps consisting of Polish refuges in Karachi. These camps were home to more than 35,000 people. It is worthy to mention that the first official Polish delegation paid a visit to Pakistan in 1948. As a result of trade negotiations the first trade agreement was signed. One year later, despite lack of diplomatic relations, the first Polish trade mission was established in Karachi, which later became the Polish Embassy and ever since very friendly relations have existed.
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