With renewable energy sources Pakistan can cope with challenges of soaring energy needs: Ambassador of Germany

Lahore, October 30, 2014 (PPI-OT): Ambassador of Germany to Pakistan Dr. Cyrill Jean Nunn has said that renewable energy sources can Pakistan cope with challenges of soaring energy needs. Being world leader in this sector, Germany could extend cooperation to Pakistan in bridging demand and supply gap.

He was talking to the LCCI President Ijaz A. Mumtaz here at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Thursday. Former Chairman WAPDA Tariq Hameed, former LCCI President Farooq Iftikhar and Executive Committee Members were present on the occasion.

German Ambassador urged the private sector of Pakistan to take full advantage of the GSP Plus Status facility granted by the European Union. He said that tourism sector of Pakistan has a lot of potential it should be promoted through joint ventures.

He said the German government was fully committed to the rapid expansion of renewable energies and has created enabling environment for investment in renewable energy sector. On the trade between Pakistan and Germany, the Ambassador said that concerted efforts were being made to take the two-way trade volume to new heights and in coming days the situation would take a positive turn.

Speaking on the occasion, LCCI President Ijaz A. Mumtaz said that Pakistan and Germany enjoy cordial relations. Governments of the both countries want to take the level of their friendship to higher levels. He said that together we envisage greater business to business contacts, greater foreign investment, bilateral university exchanges and cooperation in research and development.

He said that Pakistan is a huge market of more than 180 million people. He said that Pakistani business community appreciates German advocacy for Pakistan’s case within the European Union which has given us Pakistan-specific Autonomous Trade Preferences (ATPs). He said that it is also the largest trading partner of Pakistan within the EU. He also lauded the support of Germany for Pakistan in the granting of GSP Plus Status.

Ijaz A. Mumtaz said that over the past five decades, Germany has carried out a multitude of projects in Pakistan with a volume of more than 21 billion Euros. He said that this includes investing in economic projects, alternate energy solutions, opportunities for students and public-private partnership under GIZ (German Technical Cooperation) for vocational trainings.

He said that with presence of some leading German companies in Pakistan, there is increasing scope for small and medium-sized enterprises to invest in Pakistan’s promising areas such as power, renewable energy, IT, textiles, agriculture, and service sector. Germany is one of the leading industrial nations in the world and Pakistan could benefit from German Industrial expertise and knowledge.

LCCI President said that Germany is famous for hosting one of the most popular trade fairs in the world. Pakistani industrialist can avail this opportunity to increase their trade and bilateral relations with Germany with the help of exhibitions and trade fairs in your country.

He said that Pakistan is an agricultural country. Its agricultural contribution in GDP is 21% whereas that of Germany is only 0.8%. Increasing the exports of agricultural products to Germany from Pakistan can be definitely considered. Pakistani rice, wheat, mangoes, oil seeds, nuts and kernels and kinnows are famous worldwide for their taste and quality.

He said that trade between both the countries need to improve. Pakistan’s exports to Germany in 2013 were US $ million 1080.984. Pakistan’s imports from Germany in 2013 were US $ million 1433.631 and our percentage in total exports of Germany in 2013 was 4.0%. Pakistan’s percentage in total imports of Germany in 2013 was 3.5%. There definitely is larger potential than this for trade between both the friendly countries.

He said that cotton is an important raw material for export. Finished textiles, bed wear and towels are some of our quality exports as well. He said that Pakistan has earned world class reputation in manufacturing surgical instruments, sports goods, carpets and chemicals; therefore we lay strong emphasis on exports of these items.

He said that Pakistan is excelling in the field of education. Many educational institutions have been established in our country. Collaboration with German educational institutions will be a step ahead. He appreciated the setting up of the Pakistan German Renewable Energy Forum for combating the energy deficit in Pakistan. Lahore Chamber would always like to play a positive and supportive role in this regard.

He said that medical is a virgin field in Pakistan. German expertise and investment could bring in valuable results. He said that development in this field with German expertise can be helpful. Exchange of doctors and medical experts will be beneficial. Investment in the surgical instruments and pharmaceutical industry will be appreciated.

Ijaz A. Mumtaz said that Germans are adventurous and sports loving people. He said that Pakistan’s northern areas are bestowed with highest and beautiful peaks in the world including K-2, the second largest peak in the world. He also stressed the need for exchange of trade delegations on regular basis to promote trade and business.

For more information, contact:
Shahid Khalil
Information Department
Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI)
11-Shahrah-e-Aiwan-e-Tijarat,
Lahore -54000, Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-111-222-499
Fax: +92-42-6368854

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