KARACHI: Ambassador of Czech Republic in Pakistan, Jan Fury has underscored the need to explore ways and means of how to further enhance collaboration and bring the business communities of Czech Republic and Pakistan closer to each other. “We have to improve communication between the business communities of the two countries”, he stressed.
Exchanging views during his visit to the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), the Ambassador said that trade volume between the two countries was low but it has been gradually improving since 2013 which was a good sign. “Lot of potential exists to raise the current trade volume through collective efforts from both sides and we must do more”, he added.
Czech Republic Consul General in Karachi Ahmed Ansari, KCCI President Younus Muhammad Bashir, Senior Vice President Zia Ahmed Khan, Vice President KCCI Muhammad Naeem Sharif, Former President KCCI Majyd Aziz and KCCI Managing Committee members were also present at the meeting.
Czech Ambassador further advised the Business and Industrial community of Karachi, which is the financial and economic hub of Pakistan, to focus on diversifying their exports as currently textile products were mostly being exported to Czech Republic. In this regard, the business community of Karachi can consider exporting food and agricultural products as well whereas they can also benefit from the high-quality electronics, heavy machineries and IT services & technologies being offered by Czech Republic.
He also stressed the need to focus on improving Pakistan’s image in order to attract maximum number of Czech investors in this region. Efforts must be made towards improving the image of Pakistan which holds good culture, historical civilization and beautiful sceneries. “All this needs to be shared with the world in order to attract businesses”, he added.
Referring to recent visit of a small delegation from Czech Republic which was in Karachi to attend an exhibition, Jan Fury informed the meeting participants that a delegation comprising Pakistani businessmen and industrialists will also be visiting Czech Republic later this year to look for possibilities of enhancing trade. He also extended full support and cooperation to the business community in benefitting more from the GSP Plus Scheme granted by the European Union.
Earlier while welcoming the Ambassador of Czech Republic, KCCI President Younus Muhammad Bashir said that KCCI was keen to strengthen trade ties and exploring new bilateral trade prospects with Czech Republic as Pakistan’s improved relations and enhanced trade with the business and industrial community of Czech Republic would surely prove to be very fruitful for both the economies.
Commenting on Pakistan-Czech Republic’s trade and economic relations, he pointed out that the bilateral annual trade between the two countries was around $60 million during FY15, of which Pakistan exported goods worth $39 million while its imports stood at $20 million. “Although the potential exists but the existing trade volume is not reflecting the same”, he added.
He said that both countries have greater potential of cooperation in the fields of electronics, technologies and energy which should be explored for the mutual benefits. Czech Republic is an export-oriented country having an edge in manufacturing of mechanical, industrial and technological goods. Pakistan can look for importing such items from the country, President KCCI noted, adding that the production of technologically sophisticated goods, such as communication devices, electronic products and a wide range of private and public vehicles were also the strength of Czech Republic where the two countries can collaborate.
He mentioned that Pakistan and Czech Republic have trade and economic cooperation in various fields, which can be further strengthened to its true potential by improving investment and business relations. “KCCI wants to promote business, mutual understanding and friendly relations between the business communities of Pakistan and Czech Republic. We also want to promote Czech investment in Pakistan and do everything for the development of Pakistan–Czech business cooperation”, he added.
