Ambassador of Pakistan to France Moin-ul-Haque on Friday said that Pakistan is on an upward growth trajectory since last four years and experiencing robust growth since last four years. He expressed these views during his meeting with Francois Turcas, President of Union of Regional Small and Medium Companies in Lyon. The ambassador is on a three days (June 29 to July 1) visit to Lyon as a part of his out reach initiative to promote Pakistan in various important regions of France.
The Ambassador invited Turcas to visit Pakistan and explore the immense possibilities of bilateral cooperation with the growing and vibrant small and medium enterprise sector of Pakistan. The ambassador said, "France has a developed and successful model of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SME) and Pakistan can learn from French experience." He said, "Pakistan can also learn from France the water conservation technique to overcome its water shortages."
He said, "Pakistan has a big market of 200 million and over 40 French companies are pursuing successful business in Pakistan in diverse sectors including energy, infrastructure petroleum marketing, aviation and super stores business." Turcas showed keen interest in business trade and investment opportunities offered by Pakistan and promised to work with Pakistan Embassy to plan a visit of SME delegation to Pakistan to explore business trade and business opportunities.
Meanwhile the Ambassador has said that Pakistan attaches great importance to its bilateral relations with France. He was talking to the Members of Franco Pakistan Association of Lyon during a reception given to the Ambassador by the Pakistan community living in Lyon.
While addressing the members Franco Pakistan Association, the Ambassador said, "Pakistan considers France an important friend and partner. Both the countries enjoy excellent relationship and efforts are under way to bring about quantum jump in existing level relationships."
He noted with satisfaction that, "France has emerged third largest foreign direct investor in Pakistan whereas bilateral trade between the two countries in the outgoing year of 2016-17 has registered 16 percent increase." He said, "These are positive developments and we need to build on them by increasing the existing level of interactions among the business persons, traders, investors and students of the two countries."
He said, "Pakistan community in Lyon is highly respected by the French authorities due to their hardworking nature, law abiding attitude and their gestures of love for the other communities living in France." The ambassador also thanked the Franco Pakistan Association for their valuable assistance in setting up of Pakistani Pavilion in Multicultural village of Lyon during his three days stay in Lyon.
The ambassador will inaugurate the Pakistani pavilion in Multicultural village setup by the town hall of Lyon and will hold meetings with the political and business leadership of the Lyon city which is the second biggest city of France. Rene Paul Martin Denavit Honorary Consul of Pakistan to Lyon and Alan Reocreux, Economy Counsellor of Pakistan to France were also present on the occasion.