ISLAMABAD: Czech Republic was the 2nd largest producer of computer games in the world after USA and Pakistan has great potential to promote software exports with it. Indian IT companies were doing good business with Czech Republic by developing software products for its software companies and Pakistani entrepreneurs should step up efforts to explore new business prospects with Czech Republic in the field of IT and software sectors. This was said by Jan FURY, Ambassador of Czech Republic during an interaction with business community at Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He said accompanied by Luboslav Mazurek, Economic Counsellor of the Embassy of Czech Republic.
The Ambassador said that Czech Republic has very old roots in this part of the world as its shoemaker company Bata was established in the subcontinent in 1932. He said Pakistan mostly exported textiles and garments to Czech Republic and it should focus on diversification of trade to improve exports. He said the bilateral trade between Pakistan and Czech Republic was showing upward trend as it showed 8% growth in 2013, 20% in 2014 and 24% growth during the first 6 months of 2015. However, Pakistan could make significant boost in its exports with Czech Republic by focusing on modern products including IT-enabled products which have great scope in his country.
He said energy was priority sector for Czech Republic in Pakistan as it could help Pakistan in clean energy. He said agriculture, biotechnology, nanotechnology and environment protection were other potential areas of mutual cooperation between the two countries. He said Pakistan needed to promote its soft image to improve business prospects and Pakistani business community could play important role in this regard by showing potential of their products to EU and other countries. He said Czech Republic was one of those countries who initiated dialogue for EU’s GSP Plus status for Pakistan, however, Pakistan should not take this facility as a blank cheque as it has to ensure the compliance of 27 international conventions including women, children and labor rights. He said ICCI should plan its delegation for Czech Republic to explore new avenues of business collaboration.
In his welcome address, Atif Ikram Sheikh, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that bilateral trade of US$ 160 million between Pakistan and Czech Republic did not reflect their real potential. He said both countries should focus on exchanging trade delegations and strengthening connectivity between their private sectors to identify untapped areas of mutual cooperation. He said Czech Republic should share its advanced technology in the fields of energy, agriculture and other sectors with Pakistan. He said CPEC has envisaged lot of energy and infrastructure development projects in Pakistan and embassy should play its role for informing investors of Czech Republic about lucrative investment opportunities in Pakistan’s economy.
