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Swedish envoy for diversifying Pakistani exports

Karachi, February 10, 2014 (PPI-OT): The Ambassador of Sweden in Pakistan, Tomas Rosader has stressed the need to diversify Pakistani exports to the European Union including Sweden after the grant of GSP Plus status to Pakistan, which has resulted in opening up immense opportunities for Pakistan.

Speaking at a meeting during his visit to Karachi Chamber, Swedish Ambassador added that Sweden has always been a strong supporter of Pakistan in European Union’s grant of GSP Plus Status which has become effective since January 1, 2014.

Underscoring the need to further improve trade ties between Pakistan and Sweden, the Ambassador was fairly optimistic that this can be done keeping in view the existing great potential of trade enhancement between the two countries.

President KCCI, Abdullah Zaki, Managing Committee members Agha Shahab Ahmed Khan, Zafar Saeed Baghpatee, Zahid Iqbal, Silwat Afzal, Advisor KCCI Banking and Insurance Sub-Committee, Ateeq ur Rehman and others were also present at the meeting.

Swedish Ambassador pointed out that Karachi is a very well-known city due to its overall economic performance and contribution to the national exchequer. Karachi city holds huge consumer market and a strong middle class which play an important role in the economy, besides encourage businessmen to invest in this region, he added.

Appreciating the role being by Karachi Chamber towards strengthening relations with Sweden, he said that KCCI’s tireless efforts and the willingness to develop trade ties between Pakistan and Sweden have resulted in furthering business ties between the two countries. The Swedish Embassy in Pakistan is also doing a similar job by making efforts towards fostering trade relations between the two countries. “We have a very active Consul General in Karachi who is very much focused on promoting trade relations”, he added.

In response to a question regarding how to further expand trade between the two countries, the Swedish Ambassador said, “Enhancing trade between Pakistan and Sweden is business to business driven so it depends on business communities of both sides whereas the Embassies and the governments can only facilitate and encourage people, businessmen, academia, experts, scholars and professionals to come to Pakistan and go to Sweden. During the period from 2000 to 2010, around 10,000 Pakistani students visited Sweden for studies and are now playing an important role in Pakistan’s economy.”

Speaking on the occasion, President KCCI Abdullah Zaki appreciated the Swedish government’s support to Pakistan in grant of GSP Plus status by the European Union. “It is high time that Pakistani businessmen and the exporters, besides exporting traditional textile products, must focus on exporting other goods to EU as remaining confined to traditional goods only will never pave way for enhancing exports share in the European Union Markets”, he added.

“The possibility of exporting pulp in Sweden can also be considered by Pakistani exporters as Sweden is a good producer of high quality papers. Similarly the Pharma and Surgical products can also be exported which will certainly improve the export volume to Sweden. We need to look for ways and means on how to enhance exports to Sweden as the existing trade volume of just US$300 million was not enough and was in favour of Sweden. We must take steps to at least balance it”, Abdullah said.

He also briefed the Swedish Ambassador about the decisions taken during 1st All Pakistan Chambers’ Pre-Budget Conference organized recently by the Karachi Chamber which was attended by majority of regional Chambers of Pakistan who gathered under one roof to give their inputs on Federal Budget 2014-15.

Abdullah requested the Swedish Ambassador to help KCCI in promoting 11th My Karachi Oasis of Harmony Exhibition in Sweden by encouraging the Swedish business community to densely participate in this mega event scheduled to be organized at Karachi Expo Centre from June 20th to June 22nd, 2014.

For more information, contact:
Aamir Hassan
Director Press/ Electronic Media and Public Relations
Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI)
Aiwan-e-Tijarat Road, Off Shahrah-e-Liaquat,
Karachi-74000
Email: media.dir@kcci.com.pk
URL: www.kcci.com.pk
Office: +92 99218001-09
Fax: +92 21 99218010

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