ISLAMABAD: Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina Nedim Makarevic has said that tax free exports from his country to the entire European markets can open new horizons of export for Pakistani investors. There is no tax on exports from Bosnia to EU. So whatever we export is tax free so Pakistani industrialists can produce and then export to EU tax free.
“It is high time for Pakistani investors to invest in reap the benefits of investment in Bosnia because the EU may change this policy after some years. So Bosnia is only friendly country to Pakistan in the entire EU” he said while speaking to Customs Today in an exclusive interview here.
In this regard, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif paid a visit to Sarajevo along with a huge delegation of Pakistani businessmen and thus opened new doors for Pakistanis to entire European markets.
Nedim Makarevic said that he had held detailed discussions with lead Pakistani businessmen Malik Riaz and Sadruddin Hashwani to convince them to invest in his country and both of the business tycoons had assured him to look into his proposals. Malik Riaz’s preference is Pakistan for investment whereas Hashwani does not enjoy good health to undertake any investment adventure in Bosnia.
To a question about main problem in promotion of bilateral trade and economic cooperation between Pakistan and Bosnia Herzegovina, Ambassador said that main problem was that Pakistanis didn’t know much about Bosnia. Secondly, when we speak about business relations, Pakistanis prefer to visit as tourists not as businessmen or investors in Bosnia.
To another question about available attractions for Pakistani investors in his country, he said that tax free access EU markets and no taxation on exports to EU from Bosnia was the main attraction for Pakistani investors. It means if someone establishes a company in Bosnia, may get visa for entire EU as well as can export products to Germany, entire Europe.
Thus Pakistanis can enter EU through Bosnia” he said adding that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was quite aware of the significance of Bosnian geographical location; however, but he himself can’t step forward and do business personally.
“Problem with Pakistanis is that they are shy investors; wealthy Pakistanis like to invest in only two cities Dubai and London and they are just purchases flats and houses; but this sort of investment does not produce anything” he maintained. Another problem with Pakistanis is that they are not serious businessmen and they just visit Bosnia for one or two weeks then come back without making any investment.
To a question about possible benefits for his country out of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Ambassador said that Bosnia-China Friendship Think tank was immensely covering CPEC and organizing seminars and workshops in this regard. This think tank is very active in promotion of ties between Bosnia and China.
“I have in business and can recognize the serious guys. The other side of the story is that there are very successful people like Malik Riaz and I told him that we have enormous quantities of metal and a very beautiful state in the mid of the Europe; take car from my hometown and you are in three yours in Austria and two hours in Hungary as well as in two and half hours in Italy” he added.
About a question about possible areas of investment in Bosnia, the ambassador said that his country received 1.3 million tourists from all over the Europe and globe every year. Now we have Holiday Inn and two small Marriot but with capacity of only 300 rooms which was equal to nothing; so where 1.3 million tourists seek the shelter during their visit to Bosnia. Make a hotel and you can’t miss this chance.
To a question about his experience in Pakistan; the Ambassador said that he had marvelous time in Pakistan and he had developed a music video to highlight soft and positive side of Islamabad and Pakistan. You need to highlight soft side of Pakistan as Pakistan occupies 800, 000 sq kilometer territory and it is equal to Malays to Arabian Sea. Your valleys, rivers, mountains seven higher than 7, 000 feet are in Pakistan.
“There are vast beautiful deserts in Balochistan, Sindh, Cholistan and others. Nice panoramic view of Kashmir, GB and Khyber Pukhtunkhwa. It is what we can offer to tourists around the world. But, Pakistan faces both the short term and long term problems at the same time” he added.
