The Portuguese Ambassador Joao Paulo Sabido Costa while visiting the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry's regional office on Wednesday has praised the latter's role in promoting trade. He said, "Portugal is a gateway for the Pakistani community for entering into the European countries. Portugal is the country that ensures ease of doing business."
He also discussed matters of mutual interest with businessmen and women. Regional Chairman Mian Rehman Aziz while welcoming the diplomat said, "Portugal and Pakistan enjoy good diplomatic relations and there is a huge potential for the bilateral trade between the two countries. Although, the trade with Portugal has been gradually growing for the past three years, there is a huge potential for further improvement, Portugal comes at the eighth place among the top exporting destinations and at the 12th among the top importing member states of the European Union." He also talked about entrepreneurs exploring the untapped market potential of the traditional and non-traditional products, especially in textile, food, rice, Information Technology, sports goods and agriculture.
Portugal's major exports to the outside world are clothing and footwear, machinery, chemicals, cork and paper products. It is the world's fifth largest producer of tungsten too.