German Ambassador to Pakistan Bernhard Schlagheck has said that Germany wanted to further enhance trade relations with Pakistan and a German delegation is expected to visit Pakistan soon to explore business collaborations.
The Ambassador stated this while talking to a delegation of All Pakistan Business Forum led by its President Syed Maaz Mahmood. According to the Forum's spokesman, the German envoy said that economic ties between Pakistan and Germany are very strong and stressed the need for joint ventures for technology transfer so that Pakistani exporters could further be increased by producing value-added products.
He expressed his optimism for extension in GSP Plus status, saying continuation in duties' relaxation for Pakistan would further improve its exports to EU countries, including Germany. He said that Pakistan and Germany's bilateral trade has been around 3 billion Euros while trade balance is also in favour of Pakistan. He vowed to play his role in improving trade relations between the two sides.
He said the biggest asset of Pakistan lies in its abundant youthful workforce. If they are trained and educated well by the governments, this workforce could be the main strength in Pakistan's industrial development. Over 280 Pakistani companies participated in the Heimtextil 2020 International Trade Fair held recently in Frankfurt, which was a record participation, he said, and added that companies of both countries should actively participate in each other's trade fairs to further enhance bilateral trade and business relations.
APBF President Syed Maaz Mahmood outlined the business and investment opportunities in Pakistan and asked the German investors to take benefit of these opportunities by investing in Pakistan.
He cited the information technology and pharmaceutical sectors as the other potential areas for cooperation. He said that his forum was making consistent efforts to identify and engage resourceful organizations and entrepreneurs to create new opportunities and mutual benefits through our shared values and wisdom.