BAHAWALPUR-The Netherlands wants to enhance cooperation with Pakistan in the fields of energy especially wind power, shipping, ports, science and technology and agriculture.
The Netherlands Ambassador Janet Sippin expressed these thoughts while addressing the members of the Bahawalpur Chamber of Commerce and Industry. She said that in these fields it is already cooperating with Pakistan; Netherlands is quite a small country as compared to Pakistan in respect of population and area. The Netherlands has strong relations with Pakistan from its creation and been cooperating with Pakistan in exports and imports, the envoy said.
Last year, her country also gave Pakistan the aid of 850 million dollars for the development projects, she said. Its different companies are working in Pakistan, she added. She said that the Netherlands was an important country of European Union and the government was trying its best so that more and more Dutch companies invest in Pakistan to promote business activities between the two countries.
She added that after attaining the status of GSP Plus from European Union, business opportunities had been increased for Pakistan.
Talking about the dairy farming, she said that ban on importing cows from the Netherlands had been lifted. “Pakistan’s weather is very suitable for these cows and it is our effort that these cows are introduced in Pakistan so that Pakistan’s Dairy Industry can be promoted,” she said.
She said that 16-year education for the children has been made mandatory in the Netherlands. Dutch government’s cooperation with Pakistan regarding educational activities is promoting, she said. She said that government should also provide basic educational facilities in Pakistani.
She said that for promoting business activities and for discussion in this regard, Netherlands Embassy is always ready so that ties between both the countries could be strengthened.
She said that women should participate in the business activities. She assured the members of Chamber of Commerce for the promotion of business activities. She said in this regard Netherlands Embassy could be contacted for cooperation.