The Consul General of France Pierre Seillan has suggested that to attract the attention of foreign investors to visit Pakistan and explore the business prospects, the Government of Pakistan should provide free insurance to foreign businessmen visiting Pakistan and provide them adequate security.
He was talking to a delegation of Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry led by M. Arif Balagamwala, former Chairman, Diplomatic Affairs Sub-Committee of KCCI, which met him here Thursday. Other members of the delegation included former Vice President of KCCI Haroon Agar, Managing Committee Members, Anis Bhesania, Qamar Usman, Shamim Firpo and Muhammad Idrees Francis Widmer, French Commercial Counsellor was also present on the occasion.
French Consul General said that the exchange of visits between Chambers of Commerce of the two countries was essential for better co-ordination and co-operation. He stated that Pakistan was a friendly country for France and both countries were maintaining better trade relations since last several decades.
He suggested that to attract the attention of foreign investors to visit Pakistan and explore the business prospects, the Government of Pakistan should provide free insurance to foreign businessmen visiting Pakistan and provide them adequate security.
French Consul General said that bilateral trade could be enhanced in energy, multi-modal transport, water treatment, engineering and agriculture sector. He informed that many French companies were operating in Pakistan and enjoying good business. Commenting on the Visa issuance, he informed that for getting visa, the visa applicant must provide and fulfil the mandatory requirements.
M. Arif Balagamwala, on his behalf and on behalf of the President of KCCI expressed gratitude and compliments to the French Consul General. He informed the Consul General about the role of KCCI towards promotion of trade and business activities at national and international level. He also expressed high regards and compliments to the French Business Community for maintaining trade with Pakistani counterparts.
The KCCI delegation exchanged information on bilateral trade with the French Consul General and Commercial Counsellor. M. Arif Balagamwala drew the attention of Consul General towards ban of Pakistani fisheries/seafood items in European Union. He informed that due to the ban Pakistani exporters were facing colossal loss of $150 million every year. Consequently, hundreds of people from fisheries sector were deprived of their earning and employment, he added. He urged that France being the important member of European Union and a friend of Pakistan should play its role to lift the ban from Pakistani Fisheries in European Union.
He also apprised about the perception of Pakistan. He focused that some foreign channels broadcast biased reports about perception of Pakistan. There were some law and order problems in the northern areas where Defence Forces of Pakistan were engaged to eliminate the militant factors. However in big cities like Lahore and Karachi the law and order situation was better, he said adding that the French Consul General was heading the consulate since last four years and knows better about the perception of Karachi in particular and Pakistan in general.
Earlier, Pierre Seillan, Consul General of France and Francis Widmer, French Commercial Counsellor welcomed the KCCI delegation and expressed their gratitude and compliments to KCCI and the business community of Karachi. The Consul general appreciated the role and efforts of KCCI to accelerate the economic activities.-PR