Poland has expressed interest in joint ventures with Pakistan in agriculture and food processing sectors and research projects. Polish Consul General Ireneusz Makles told Business Recorder on Wednesday that Poland was interested in close co-operation with Pakistan in agriculture and food processing sector, while Polish scientific and research institutes are interested in launching joint research projects, sharing of knowledge and transfer of technology on agro-based industry.
He said that the Polish companies wanted to establish joint ventures in agriculture and allied sectors.
The Polish consul general said that about 80 leading companies would participate in International Trade and Industry Fair (ITIF-2005), Asia Exhibition, during March 26-28, 2005 being held in Karachi. "This is an ideal opportunity to get important business information of Poland's leading manufacturers and enterprises, their product line and potential to business", he added.
"We will inform how to do business with and in Poland and how to boost the trade between Poland and Pakistan", he said.
The Polish consul general identified some of the sectors that he thought would be of interest to Pakistan, and said they would put up their information stalls.
He said that manufacturers of food processing machinery and equipment, bakery machinery and equipment, sugar confectionery plants and equipment, rice milling and processing machinery, machinery and equipment for food and beverage industry, mills for chocolate, poultry breeding and farming equipment, cooling towers, vegetable and food processing machinery, cream, butter, yogurt, ice-cream making machinery, poultry breeding, farming equipment, medical and surgical veterinary, and fisheries boats were some of the important aspects of the Polish industry that should interest Pakistani business community.
Makles said that arrangements had been made to meet all business inquires. These inquiries of Pakistani businessmen would be delivered to the portal of the Ministry of Economy of Poland on its website, and would also be delivered for publishing in renowned Polish business magazines.
He said he was pleased to learn that the Ministry of Investment and Privatization, the Board of Investment, the Government of Sindh, and the E-commerce Gateway Pakistan (Pvt) Ltd were once again working together to organise another episode of ITIF-2005 Asia Exhibition from March 26-28, 2005 in Karachi.
Makles said: "Overall growth of Pakistan's economy has drawn the attention of the international business community toward Pakistan, and the present government's policies have encouraged it to undertake investment opportunities, and had opened doors to foreign investors."
He said that Pakistan was on the track of prosperity and development as well as on the path of sustainable growth.
The Polish consul general said that financial and structural reforms of Pakistan had enhanced the role of the private sector, and restored the confidence of both domestic and international investors, and it was, therefore, up to the business communities to take advantage of the opportunities those were being offered.
He said that he was impressed with the structural economic reforms of the Government of Pakistan, practical macroeconomic policies and financial discipline that had transformed Pakistan in stable, fast growing economy.
He said: "Pakistan economy for the last few years has been growing very fast, achieving in 2004 growth of GDP over 6.4 percent making the country very attractive for investment."
He said that Poland had been supporting Pakistan, and would continue to help in Pakistan's economic development, free trade regime, liberalised economy, and the introduction of comprehensive reforms in various other sectors such as trade, tariffs, which were the lowest in the region.
Makles said: "Poland and Pakistan are privileged by nature of their location. Pakistan has the best geographical proximity with Afghanistan, the countries of Central Asia, Middle East and China. Polish products and services can be exported not only to Pakistan, but also via Pakistani businessmen to neighbouring countries.
Likewise, Poland is located in the centre of Europe. Pakistani businessmen and industrialists should also take into consideration that Poland is situated in the heart of Europe which provides an excellent base for Pakistan's economic expansion into European Union and Community of the Independent States - former Soviet Republic and into East Central European countries. Poland could be a launching pad and springboard for Pakistani products in Europe."