Karachi: Irfan Iqbal Sheikh President of FPCCI expressed satisfaction that Pakistan’s bilateral trade surplus with Germany has crossed psychological mark of $ 1 billion and there are clear indications that Pakistani exports are on growth trajectory with world’s fourth-largest economy and largest in Europe with GDP of $ 4.5 trillion. However, he noted exports of $ 2.5 billion are still way too below real potential as there is huge demand for Pakistani textiles in Germany, he remarked in message on visit of Andreas Wegner Deputy Consul General of Germany to Federation House.

Suleman Chawla SVP FPCCI said that Pakistan should be focused on renewal and expansion of GSP plus to make full use of affluent German consumer market. He stressed need to export services and human resources to Germany in large number.

Shabbir Mansha VP of FPCCI explained that Pakistan can benefit from Germany enormously through technology transfer as Germany is one of most advanced countries in world technologically. He requested visiting diplomat that German Embassy should consider making visa issuance process speedy and more forthcoming for Pakistan as lot of businessmen, workers, tourists and students want to go to Germany for their respective fields of interest.

Sahibzadi Mahin Khan Convener of FPCCI’s Standing Committee on Diplomatic Affairs proposed that scope of GIZ programs of Germany should be expanded in other provinces of Pakistan as they have been offered in Punjab as youth is advantage point of Pakistan and they can be empowered and emancipated through technical training opportunities.

Andreas Wegner expressed his optimism that most of FPCCI demands can be met with mutual consultative processes and Germany is willing to help with polytechnic and vocational training, establish collaborations between German and Pakistani IT companies, offer German language courses, help with rehabilitation of flood affectees, fostering capabilities to cope with climate change, facilitating renewable energy projects, help create working relationship between FPCCI and Association of German Chambers of Commerce and Industry (DIHK) and encourage postgraduate students to apply Ph.D. scholarships in Germany.

Published in The Daily National Courier, December, 24 2022

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