Pakistan enjoying huge export umbrella in GSP Plus form: Czech Envoy
FAISALABAD: Mr Ladislav Steinhübel, Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Pakistan, said that Pakistan is enjoying a huge export umbrella in the form of GSP Plus and needs to be benefitted from it in maximum term.
Addressing the business community in Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FCCI), he said that Czechoslovakia was a well-developed industrial country before the Second World War. It was exporting sugar and textile mills immediately after the World War-II but later it switched over to the export of automobiles, he added.
He said that 80% of the export from the Czech Republic is destined to the EU countries with Germany and Austria on top of it.
He said that 2,000 Pakistanis are working in the Czech Republic while a large number of students are also studying in Czech universities.
Responding to a question, he said that Czech Republic could export shuttle less looms to Pakistan but to achieve this target private sectors of the two countries should play their role.
He said that his country intends to enhance exports to Pakistan and in this connection direct dialogue between the concerned stakeholders is imperative.
He said that both counties should exchange trade delegations to enhance bilateral trade.
Deputy Head of Mission Ms. Michaela and Honorary Consul General Mr. Kamal Monno also participated in the meeting.
Earlier, President FCCI Farooq Yousaf Sheikh welcomed the guests and introduced Faisalabad and chamber.
He said that Faisalabad is contributing 60% share towards total textile export of Pakistan.
He termed bilateral trade value between Pakistan and Czech Republic as quite insufficient and said that we must take appropriate steps to enhance it.
He also pointed out that the lack of a banking system and direct air flights are also dampening our exports.
Vice President FCCI Engr. Asim Munir, Executive Members Waheed Khaliq Ramay, Muhammad Ali, Umar Farooq Kahlon, Shahid Majeed, Tariq Mahmood Qadri, Mirza Zahid Iqbal, Nabeel Yousaf, along with Dr. Habib Aslam Gaba, Zahid Butt, and other members participated in the question-answer session.
Later, Senior Vice President FCCI Naveed Akram Sheikh offered a vote of thanks.
FCCI President Farooq Yousaf Sheikh decorated Excellency Ladislav Steinhübel with a commemorative collar pin marking the Chamber’s 50th anniversary and a shield.
The ambassador also recorded his impressions in the FCCI Visitors’ Book. APP
