KARACHI: Ambassador of Denmark, Jesper Moller Sorensen has said that for the first time, a trade delegation from Denmark will be visiting Pakistan in October 2014 to explore ways and means of enhancing trade and look for partnership in various sectors.
Exchanging views with KCCI office bearers during his visit to Karachi Chamber on Thursday, the Danish Ambassador said that representatives of eight Pakistani companies will also be visiting Denmark this month (September) where they will meet Danish businessmen in order to expand their businesses and explore the possibility of undertaking joint ventures.
Vice Chairman Businessmen Group, Anjum Nisar, Acting President KCCI, Muffasar Atta Malik, Vice President KCCI, Muhammad Idrees, Commercial Counsellor, Embassy of Denmark Assar Noman Qureshi, Commercial Advisor, Embassy of Denmark Aslam Perwaiz, Area Sales Manager, DNP Denmark Anjum Parwaiz and KCCI Managing Committee members were also present at the meeting.
The Ambassador of Denmark while commenting on existing trade relations between the two countries, said that the overall trade volume between the two countries stood at $400 million which needs to be enhanced by focusing more on improving trade and commercial activities.
In this regard, the Embassy of Denmark has opened a commercial section to facilitate the Pakistani business community and explore potential sectors for improving trade and investment between the two countries.
Danish Envoy informed that Denmark faced similar energy shortfalls in the 70s which are currently being faced by Pakistan but succeeded in overcoming these crisis with the passage of time.
Denmark has now become completely self-reliant by focusing on renewable energy and is now in a position to export energy. "We are ready to assist Pakistan in effectively dealing with its ongoing energy crisis and Danish businessmen can find good partners in Pakistan in the energy sector", he added.
He said that another important area in which Denmark can offer assistance is water shortages as it has become a challenge for Pakistan which is going to become a bigger challenge in future. In this regard, companies in Denmark can help Pakistan in water waste management. Furthermore, Danish and Pakistani businessmen can also undertake joint ventures in other important sectors of the economy including healthcare, agriculture and dairy sectors which offer immense opportunities.
He said that although Danish businessmen are reluctant to visit Pakistan due to security issues however the travel advisory being issued for Pakistan advises Danish visitors to restrict their movements to Sindh and Punjab only and avoid visiting Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and FATA areas.
He said that around 600 schools in Pakistan have been fully rehabilitated during the past three years under Denmark's Assistance Development Programme which grants $50 million to Pakistan.
In his welcome address, Acting President KCCI, Muffasar Atta Malik appreciated the Danish Government for supporting Government of Pakistan in securing European Union's GSP Plus status.
He said that Denmark and Pakistan enjoy cordial relations with focus on enhancing bilateral trade and investment along with political and development cooperation. Since 2007-08, trade balance is in the favour of Pakistan however, trade volume needs to be enhanced by identifying various fields of economic cooperation, he added.
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