ISLAMABAD: Tunisian ambassador Adel Elarbi has said that rationalization of tax rates can attract more and more foreign investors in Pakistan. The concerned authorities and institutions must pay heed towards making the tax payment system simple along with mass awareness campaign across the globe to aware the global investors about the trade and investment potential present in Pakistan.
In an exclusive interview with Customs Today here, Adel EIarbi said that process for conclusion of Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) between Pakistan and Tunisia was in progress and concerned ministries were actively pursuing to obtain this goal; however, the current status of the process was not very much visible at present. At present Tunisia has Honarary Cunsulate Generals at Lahore and Karachi and we are planning to appoint another one in Peshawar too.
“9th Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) is likely to be held this year in Tunisia. It was scheduled to be held in February but postponed but now new dates are being finalized. The 8th session of the joint ministerial commission was held in Pakistan in 2012 and was crowned by the signing of eight agreements and memoranda of understanding” he added.
He said that economy and trade could bring both Pakistan and Tunisia closer. Tunisia is very attractive destination for investors and investors can invest in hotels, motels and other sectors related to tourism; we have a long history of tourism. We receive tourist from all over the Europe.
He said that Pakistan was also a touristic country but its potential has not been explored so far. Shining side of the country must be reflected before the world and potential can convert Pakistan as a wonderful touristic destination.
Adel Elarbi said that both Pakistan and Tunisia had extended cooperative hand to each other in a number of sectors; Moreover, both countries support each other’s causes on international forums too. This is why, our President told me to make all out efforts to bring both countries closer to each others.
“Pakistan is in a busy part of the world and I am trying to attract my country. Both countries have many similarities in our culture and we share almost the same social, religious and political values” he said adding that he was visiting almost every big city in Pakistan to strengthen ties.
To a question about possible strong pillars for the excellent ties between Pakistan and Tunisia, Ambassador said that cooperation in trade and economic sectors could prove to be the strong pillars for further strengthening excellent ties between both the countries; Pakistan and Tunisia.
“This is why, my priority as ambassador is economic diplomacy between Pakistan and Tunisia and I am trying to my authorities to come to Pakistan and explore the existing potential of Pakistan” he said adding that Tunisia also possessed huge economic potential for being gateway to Africa, Europe and Arab World at the same time.
“We have partners in all these areas and Pakistan investors can explore this partnership by establishing companies in Tunisia and then re-exporting to European, African and Arab markets” he maintained.
He said that Tunisia had mini trade agreements with African countries and our parliament also approved the new investment law. As per this law, establishment of new companies in Tunisia has been made an easy job and official obstacles have been removed. “We are working on expanding banking network over to other African countries. I will contacts with all chambers of commerce and industry to apprise them about positive sides of this law and ask them to come and invest in Tunisia. I have already visited a number of chambers of commerce and now I am willing to visit more in coming days” he concluded.
