EU to resume fish import from Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: European Union (EU) imports fish worth Euro 15.5 million per annum and are open to restoring fish imports from Pakistan.

This was stated by the Trade Counsellor and Head of Economic Section, Embassy of Germany, Samy Saadi here on Friday.

Talking to founding President, Islamabad Women's Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IWCCI), Samina Fazil he said that concerted efforts were being made to improve the situation and expressed hope that Pakistani exports would be resumed soon.

The European Union preferential trade deal will help Pakistani textile industry to increase its exports which imports around Euro 83.7 million of textile products per annum.

He said that textiles account for over 60 per cent of the total Pakistani exports to the EU and energy sector needed to be improved for the textile sector to get maximum benefit of the waiver.

The German exports to Pakistan stood at $947 million while its imports from Pakistan stood at $1.2 billion adding that total bilateral trade volume has been steadily on the rise and still bears much potential.

Punjab is among world leaders in many agricultural sectors and its progress in milk production is encouraging which is presently 3 times lower than many European countries, he added.

Samy Saadi said that uniting and educating people related to agriculture can trigger development as current level of exports of fruits, dairy, and vegetables are relatively low.

However, there is a great potential if production is improved adding that efforts were underway to introduce Pakistani agricultural products in Germany with the help of Metro.

"We are engaged in development cooperation focusing on energy, education, vocational training, health and governance and believe in more mutually beneficial commercial activity both ways", he added.

Speaking on the occasion, Samina Fazil stressed the need for enhanced support to Pakistani women entrepreneurs. She demanded frequent exchange of trade, cultural and economic delegations and help in generating clean energy through Thar Coal.

She thanked Germany for helping EU deal which according to industry experts can help Pakistani textile sector save $200 million in duties alone.

The most promising sectors include oil and gas, agro-industry, IT, textile and other machinery, mining, precious and semi-precious stone sector, franchising, consumer goods and environmental technologies, said Samina.

Samina urged Germany for supporting Pakistani women entrepreneurs to explore their market to fulfil the economic revival agenda.

Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2012