The Netherlands wanted to support trade, instead of aid and the country would support Pakistan gain broader market access to the European Union (EU) in the shape of GSP plus scheme provided Islamabad qualifies by fulfilling all pre-requisites, head of economic affairs of the Netherlands' embassy in Islamabad Robert Dresen said on Wednesday.
According to him, Pakistan's made up exports were picking up, marking a single digit increase during the current fiscal year, adding that after gaining greater market, access, Pakistan was likely to boost its exports. Pakistan, he said, would have to exhaust its quota under the existing preferential trade arrangement that will pave the way for getting desired results on the GSP-plus scheme.
He said that the bilateral trade between two countries stood at $800 million per annum and the level of trade between the two sides had almost achieved an equilibrium. "We want to promote trade, instead of aid," Robert Dresen said. Pakistan's major exports to the Netherlands included textiles, adding that there was a huge potential for imports in livestock and agriculture sectors.
Being second largest exporters of agriculture products in the world, the diplomat said that Pakistan could win major benefits if it provided a level playing field. Currently, he said, there were a number of restrictions on livestock imports from his country. Dutch people, he said, liked Sialkot-made hockey sticks, adding that both countries could explore mutual co-operation in areas, including alternative energy sector.
He said that there was a huge potential to boost business-to-business (B2B) ties between private sectors of the two countries, adding that the only thing lacking was an enabling environment. He said that if there was an enabling environment, linkages would be established to promote trade and investment in potential areas.
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