KARACHI: The Ambassador of Republic of Poland Maciej Pisarski has informed that the overall trade volume between Poland and Pakistan has reached to more than US$920 million, of which Pakistan exported goods worth US$800 million due to GSP Plus arrangement which gives duty free access of Pakistani goods to Polish Market whereas Poland’s exports to Pakistan stood at US$128 million last year.
Polish Ambassador, who led a high-level trade delegation from Poland during its visit to the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) said, “Keeping in view the enormity of potential, we would like to approach this existing potential by doing what we are doing today i.e. bringing the Polish businesspeople to Pakistan, introducing them to Pakistani potential partners and let them explore Pakistan in terms of future partnerships, besides helping them gain firsthand experience.”
Honorary Consul General of Poland in Karachi Mirza Omair Baig, President KCCI Iftikhar Ahmed Sheikh, Senior Vice President Altaf A Ghaffar, Vice President Tanveer Ahmed Barry, Former President Majyd Aziz, Chairman Diplomatic Missions & Embassies Liaison Subcommittee Farooq Afzal along with KCCI Managing Committee Members were also present on the occasion.
Underscoring the need to expand Polish-Pakistan trade and economic relations, the Envoy said that the Polish business community was very confident and has developed interesting offers not only for the traditional markets but also to be able to go global.
“This is what we are doing and we are very thankful to the Ministry of Climate for sponsoring this trip to Pakistan. This is exactly the type of activity which the embassy and the public administration can and have to undertake to reinvigorate our cooperation.”
Polish Ambassador further stated that Karachi has a very special place on the map of Polish memory as Karachi was a place where thousands of refugees found shelter during the 2nd World War. “It is also a place where Polish pilots, instructors and engineers came shortly after the Second World War to join the efforts of creating the Pakistan Airforce. During all these years, we have forged very strong people-to-people connections even before the commencement of diplomatic ties between the two countries”, he said, adding that Poland and Pakistan have been enjoying 62 years of fruitful and collaborative relationships based on mutual interest and respect which have grown to a point where there was definitely a great potential to expand these relationships.
He informed that Poland’s economy stands at 21st position with a size of US$1.4 trillion today and the sixth largest economy in the European Union, characterized by enormous dynamism, innovative approach and huge resistance. “We have been the fastest growing economy in the European Union and since 1990 Polish economy has grown by 900 percent. This year, Polish imports and exports stood at around US$700 billion.”
Earlier, President KCCI Iftikhar Ahmed Sheikh, while warmly welcoming Polish trade delegation, stated that despite growing diplomatic and cordial relationship, the potential remains largely untapped hence, there is a pressing need to expand trade, investment, economic, cultural, and people-to-people relations to fully realize the benefits of partnership between the two countries.
“Pakistan’s strong textile manufacturing capabilities encompass yarn production, fabric weaving, and garment production. With high demand in Poland’s market, there are significant investment opportunities for Polish firms to establish textile manufacturing units or form partnerships with existing Pakistani manufacturers, leveraging both nations’ business and labour forces,” he added.
He further stated that Pakistan can also attract Polish investment by promoting its Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and offering incentives such as tax and customs duty exemptions, and streamlined regulatory processes. “Polish firms can explore opportunities in textiles, agriculture, and tourism, while showcasing their potential in machinery, electricity, ferrous metals, motor vehicles, plastics, paper products, chemicals, processed food, beauty products and oilseeds to Pakistani investors.
President KCCI pointed out that Pakistani exporters face significant inspection challenges, including limited technical resources and customs delays. To address these issues, prioritizing market preferences, planning awareness sessions for farmers, and enhancing government cooperation on pesticide-related concerns and laboratory testing are essential. Additionally, nominating a third-party laboratory for evaluating goods during shipping can ensure better adherence to regulations, he opined.
He stressed that promoting collaboration in education and technology can lead to substantial benefits for both countries. Initiatives such as academic exchange programmes, collaborative research projects, and online training platforms can facilitate the exchange of knowledge and technical expertise between Pakistan and Poland. “Hosting a series of trade events like exhibitions, trade fairs, and networking sessions can pave the way for new business opportunities. These events will enable Pakistani and Polish entrepreneurs to interact directly, showcase their products and services, and build lasting business relationships”, he added.
He was of the opinion that developing a joint digital platform by the chambers of commerce of both countries can significantly streamline trade and investment promotion which could offer comprehensive services including market intelligence, legal advisory and business matchmaking, besides helping businesses stay informed and connected with the latest market trends and regulatory updates.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2024
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