President Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), Muhammad Haroon Agar, urged Regional Director of the External Trade Agency of France (South Asia) Pierre Lignot to invite new French investors to invest in Pakistan. Exchanging views with New Delhi based Head of French Trade Commission during his visit to KCCI; he stated that many French companies are enjoying profitable business in Pakistan. He stated that Pakistan and France have about $1.3 billion bilateral trade volume.
Pakistan has surplus in trades. For last 63 years, a close relationship in trade, diplomatic affairs, education and investment have been witnessed. The France-Pakistan relations are historically bonded and friendly based on military, defence, cultural, educational co-operation and economic ties.
Trade between the two countries is generally increasing with time. Pakistan and France Commission is established in order to boost the bilateral trade between two countries. In the year 2012, Pakistan exported worth $441.1508 Mn commodities to France while imports from France to Pakistan stood at $468.2076 Mn. In August 2010, France and Pakistan agreed to set up a joint commission to undertake co-operative projects in food and agriculture, economic development, security and medical training.
Recently, Pakistan and France have signed an agreement on economic and commercial relationship. This Joint Declaration on Economic and Commercial Partnership was signed by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hina Rabbani Khar on behalf of Government of Pakistan and Minister of State for External Trade, Pierre Lellouche, on behalf of Government of France.
Under this declaration, both the countries try to develop a framework of closer economic co-operation, enhancing trade and investment links in order to strengthen the mutual relationship between two countries.
France is also trying to overcome the current energy crisis faced by Pakistan through AFD (Agence francaise de development). France is one of the main suppliers of defence equipment. France and Pakistan can cooperate for the establishing industries for defence production and can transfer technology for this purpose to Pakistan.
France is a good market for Pakistani textile products especially readymade garments, bed wear and knitwear. He added that although Pakistan is 65th in the hierarchy of trading partners of France, he was hopeful that after attainment of GSP Plus, Pakistan's trade with France will make a quantum leap. Moreover, he also invited French Exhibitors, through French External Trade Agency to participate in KCCI 10th My-Karachi, Oasis of Harmony Exhibition scheduled to be held in July 2013 which is a showcase and B2B & B2C platform where local and foreign exhibitors participate. An International Pavilion is planned for foreign exhibitors this year too.
Regional Director of the External Trade Agency of France (South Asia) Pierre Lignot recognised the role of Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry in promotion of trade and industry and socio-economic development of Pakistan.-PR