ISLAMABAD: Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) President Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari said the ICCI planned to organise Pakistan-France Business Forum (PFBF) to improve business relations between two countries.

Leading an ICCI delegation in meeting with French Ambassador Nicolas GALEY, Bakhtawari said French companies working in Pakistan would be invited to share their experiences and sought Embassy’s cooperation in that regard.

During meeting, two sides discussed matters for further improving bilateral trade and economic relations between Pakistan and France. Economic Counselor of France Embassy was also present in meeting, an ICCI press release said.

Ambassador Nicolas GALEY said France considered Pakistan an important country and wanted to have more business relations with it. He said Pakistan should focus on EU’s Parliament for continuity of GSP Plus scheme. Ambassador said French Alumni group would be activated to enhance cooperation between two countries. Whenever French business delegation visits Pakistan, he would connect them with ICCI.

He said that close cooperation between ICCI and French chambers of commerce and industry could help explore untapped areas of business cooperation between two countries.

He said Pakistan’s current difficult economic situation was transitory, however, country could attract more investment by addressing issue of its currency fluctuation.

He said France and Pakistan had signed roadmap for bilateral cooperation to strengthen relations in all fields of mutual interests, including economic development, science and technology, education, culture, tourism, defence, climate change and hoped that it would produce good results for both countries.

ICCI President said current volume of bilateral trade of around $ 2 billion between Pakistan and France was not up to actual potential of both countries. He stressed for strong business linkages between private sectors of Pakistan and France to explore new vistas of mutual cooperation.

He said France had supported Pakistan for EU’s GSP Plus scheme and it could cooperate with Pakistan in many sectors including energy, IT, agriculture, livestock and tourism.

Bakhtawari said Pakistan was huge market of around 223 million consumers and France should focus on Pakistan for business and investment. He invited Ambassador to visit ICCI for an interaction with business community.

Published in The Daily National Courier, April, 21 2023

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