The Pakistan France Business Alliance (PFBA) was founded in 1991, with H.E. Jean Pierre Masset, the then Ambassador of France to Pakistan, as Chief Patron. H.E. Pierre Charasse, present Ambassador of France is the Patron-In-Chief now, and Mr. Jean-Yves Berthault, Consul General of France is Patron of Karachi Chapter/PFBA.
PFBA aims to encourage and promote business, mutual understanding and friendly relations between the business communities of Pakistan and France.
In pursuit of this, the Alliance works to encourage, participate and facilitate the exchange of visitors and delegations between the two countries, and maintain directories, periodicals regarding trade information on French companies.
It also assists in identifying and disseminating information relating to business opportunities between the two countries through a quarterly Newsletter, which is circulated among PFBA members, all Chambers of Commerce, Federations/Trade Associations, Textile and Pharmaceutical companies, Foreign Missions in Pakistan, Paris Chambers of Commerce & Industry, UCCIFE, MEDEF International and Embassy of Pakistan in Paris.
In the past the Alliance has led delegations to France with the aim of exploring and increasing business activities between the two countries including a strong delegation led by President Amin A. Hashwani which participated in the Investment Conference held in Paris on 03 July 2003 in the presence of President General Pervez Musharraf.
PFBA is now participating in the THE ASIA INVEST PROGRAM of the European Union which is a comprehensive program of technical assistance and grants in helping Business Associations, Trade Bodies, and Professional Organisations to seek European Assistance in business match-making, development of private sector, and reinforcement of investment and creation of business intermediary organisations.
Holding of PAKISTAN-FRANCE TRADE PERFORMANCE AWARDS, recognizing and awarding the leading manufacturers, exporters and importers has become the most important item of yearly activity calendar of PFBA.
The last Award Ceremony was held on 07 March 2003 and the next Award Ceremony will be held in the last quarter of the year.
The Pakistan France Business Alliance represents 150 French and Pakistan companies operating locally. These companies either directly represent French Principals or are trading with France.
PFBA has set up its Northern Chapter at Lahore which is headed by Vice President Rana Abdul Mannan. Mr. Jahangir Malik, Hon. Consul of France, is Patron of the PFBA Northern Chapter.
PFBA has set up the business development services at Karachi which is being efficiently managed Madame Sylvie Frossard, Business Consultant; a number of translations were made and legal advice given to the members and non-member companies."
(The writer is Executive Officer, PFBA)