KARACHI-Irfan Iqbal Sheikh, President FPCCI, has expressed his satisfaction that Pakistan’s bilateral trade surplus with Germany has crossed psychological mark of $1 billion and there are clear indications that Pakistani exports are on a growth trajectory with the world’s fourth largest economy and the largest in Europe with a GDP of $4.5 trillion.
However, the exports of $2.5 billion are still way too below the real potential as there is huge demand of Pakistani textiles in Germany, he remarked in a message on the occasion of the visit of Andreas Wegner, Deputy Consul General of Germany, to the Federation House.
Suleman Chawla, SVP FPCCI, stated that Pakistan should be focused on the renewal and expansion of GSP+ to make full use of the very affluent German consumer market. He also stressed upon the need to export services and human resources to Germany in large numbers.
Shabbir Mansha, VP FPCCI, explained that Pakistan can benefit from Germany enormously through technology transfer as Germany is one of the most advanced countries in the world technologically. He requested the visiting diplomat that German embassy should consider making visa issuance process speedy and more forthcoming for Pakistan as a lot of businessmen, workers, tourists and students want to go to Germany for their respective fields of interests. Sahibzadi Mahin Khan, Convener of FPCCI’s Standing Committee on Diplomatic Affairs, proposed that the scope of GIZ programs of Germany should be expanded in other provinces of Pakistan; like they have are being offered in Punjab as youth is the advantage point of Pakistan and they can be empowered & emancipated through technical training opportunities. Andreas Wegner expressed his optimism that most of the FPCCI demands can be met with mutual consultative processes; and, Germany is willing to help with polytechnic & vocational training; establish collaborations between German & Pakistani IT companies; offer German language courses; help with the rehabilitation of flood affectees; foster the capabilities to cope with climate change; facilitate the renewable energy projects; help create working relationship between FPCCI & Association of German Chambers of Commerce & Industry (DIHK) and encourage postgraduate students to apply for PhD scholarships in Germany. Andreas Wegner specifically expressed his concerns that millions of flood affectees of Pakistan are in the need of rehabilitation; and, Germany has committed €63 million in assistance so far. However, he added, total cost of rehabilitation & reconstruction may be as high as $30 billion.