Portugal Government has planned to use Gwadar port to import goods from China, Charge d' Affairs of Portugal to Pakistan Jao Paulo Sabido Costa said this at an interactive session organized by Karachi Council of Foreign Affairs here on Tuesday. The theme of session was "Pakistan Portugal Relations; Prospects & Challenges".
Costa spoke at length about the bilateral ties between Pakistan and Portugal and believed that more work needs to be done to enhance the bilateral relations in different spheres. He noted that Pakistan is already a well-reputed name in Portugal market due to its high quality rice, mangoes and textile products.
He, however, stressed that the existing trade volume is still below the actual potential. "Exchange of business delegations would not only help to enhance the bilateral trade but would also contribute to learn from each other experiences in various sectors of economy", he believed and added that it would also result in sharing of knowledge and technology.
Costa gave a whole gambit of bilateral relations between Pakistan and Portugal and said that the bilateral cooperation should not be limited to only business and investment fields but greater people-to-people contact would cement the cordial relations between the two countries on long-term basis.
He particularly mentioned Gold Visa scheme of Portugal to attract the foreign investment. "You just invest in Portugal and get the residence visa," he pointed. Costa also invited Pakistani entrepreneurs to benefit from this Gold Visa Scheme and noted that they would feel like be at home while visiting his country. He told the audience that Halal food restaurants are offering best foods to Muslims in Portugal and Pakistanis would not be facing any difficulty while visiting Portugal.
Costa said that Pakistan business sector can't only benefit from the Portugal market but it would have also access to Canadian market, which have a trade pact with his country. "Pakistani products can find their way to Canada market by first landing at Portugal for their onward journey to North American country," he noted.
Replying to query, Costa said that security situation in Pakistan has improved a lot in recent years, which needs to be projected abroad as new generation of tourists have no idea about Pakistan, which he believed has a beautiful landscape with pleasant climate and diversified culture.
He also emphasized the need for cooperation between KCFR and Portugal think tanks to exchange and share the ideas and experiences in their areas of expertise. Secretary General KCFR Ahsan Mukhtar Zuberi presented a memento to Costa. Co-Chairman KCFR Ikram Sihgal also spoke on the occasion.
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