The trade volume of about 400 million Euro between Belgium and Pakistan was encouraging as it had increased manifold during last one year, said Ambassador of Belgium in Pakistan, Patrick Renault.
He was addressing as chief guest in the inauguration ceremony of the "Belgian Catalogue Exhibition" held in Khalid Waheed Auditorium of Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) in league with Walloon Trade Commission in Pakistan of the Belgian Embassy.
RCCI acting President, Jawed Akhtar presided over the function, which was attended by the senior executives of the RCCI and industrialists, exporters and businessmen of the region.
The Belgian envoy, while speaking on the occasion, stressed the need of the concrete efforts for increasing the trade volume between the two countries, besides learning from the experiences of each other in different fields of life.
"Belgium right from the creation of Pakistan remained a trusted ally of Pakistan and both the countries enjoyed cordial relations both politically and economically", he said.
Patrick impressed upon the Pakistani industrialists to enter the Belgian market as the Belgium was at the heart of the European market having more than 470 million consumers. "As Gateway to Brussels, capital of the European Union it is a focal point for the trade and an ideal location for the foreign investors", Belgian envoy said.
He stressed the need of use of latest technology in the industrial sector in order to attain the desired goals of development and prosperity.
Patrick said that the original ideas of creativity and high technological values have made the Belgium able to develop its production infrastructure and innovative potential in the traditional sectors, which were immediate basis of its economy.
"Synergies have been created for the development of new industries including chemical and aerospace sectors", he added.
Calling Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) as base for the industrial growth as well as for the creating jobs for unemployed, Patrick Renault said that more than 2,500 innovative, flexible and creative SMEs in Belgium had accepted the technology challenges.
He said that foreign investors were driving force behind economic growth in Belgium. "Every possible facility is being provided the foreign investors in establishment of their units to enable them to achieve harmonious and rapid growth".
Talking on the importance of the increase in the bilateral co-operation, Patrick said that at present Pakistan was importing the Belgian products worth 170.941 million Euros, while Belgium was importing 200 million Euro products from Pakistan. "There is lot of room of improvement in the trade volume of the two countries and efforts should be made in this regard positively", he said.
He called upon the Pakistani investors and industrialists to take benefits from the reliable and investor friendly policies of the Belgium and penetrate the European market via Belgium.
Belgian Envoy thanked RCCI leadership for their co-operation in holding the exhibition and said that it would prove beneficial for both the sides.
Speaking on the occasion RCCI acting President, Jawed Akhtar Bhatti has said that the trade relations of Pakistan and Belgium were better and both the countries were enjoying cordial relations on all levels.
He stressed the need of exchange of delegations on all levels particularly the business community should take advantage to visit the markets of the two countries in order to explore new vistas of investment and co-operation.
Bhatti said Pakistan exports to Belgium last year were 199.309 million Euro, while the imports were 170.941 million Euro. "Although the balance of trade is in favour of Pakistan but it should be increased manifold in days coming. Pakistani exports to Belgium have shown a little decline this year, which is point of concern for the Pakistani business community", he added.
RCCI President said that Pakistan products were better in quality and cost effective. Belgian and Pakistani governments should take all out efforts to facilitate the industrialist, exporters and investors of the two sides.
He thanked the Belgian Trade Commission for holding catalogue exhibition and said that it would give the business men a proper know how about the Belgian market and would prove helpful in enhancing the trade relations of the two countries.
People have shown keen interest in the one-day catalogue exhibition, in which catalogues about the industrial sector of the Belgium were displayed.