Prime Minster Shaukat Aziz will leave on Sunday for a week-long visit of Germany and Italy, accompanied by a high-level business delegation, mainly with a view to strengthen the ongoing co-operation, particularly, in trade and investment.
Both Germany and Italy are very large world economies and are also the founding members of the EU, G-8 and Nato. Italy and Germany are leaders in technology and commerce. They are also internationally renowned for their precision machinery, technological innovation and creative designs.
Pakistan shares perceptions with Germany and Italy on regional and international issues of mutual interest and has common ideals of peace and prosperity. It enjoys cordial relations with both these countries, particularly, in the political and economic terms.
During his stay in Germany, Shaukat Aziz will hold official talks with Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder with a focus on enhancing bilateral trade, investment and economic co-operation.
Regional and global issues of mutual interest, including Kashmir, Middle East, Iraq and Afghanistan would also come under discussion.
The Prime Minister's programme also includes round-table conference with top German businessmen, including meetings with members of industrial giants, such as Daimler Chrysler, Metro and Siemens.
He will also address leading bankers of Germany. Important agreements are to be signed during the visit.
Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz will deliver address on "Pakistan's role in the promotion of regional stability and development" at the Bertelsmann Foundation.
During his visit to Italy, the Prime Minister will hold discussions with his counterpart Silvio Berlusconi, President of the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies and other political and business leaders.
Bilateral relations and a range of other issues, including fight against terrorism, Pakistan-India dialogue, reconstruction in Afghanistan, situation in Iraq and expansion of the UN Security Council will be discussed during meetings.
The Prime Minster's visit programme includes an address to Italian bankers and businessmen. Some agreements are also likely to be signed during the visit.
While in Rome, the Prime Minister is also expected to address the Italian Centre of Diplomatic Studies.
There is a vibrant community of Pakistanis in Germany as well as in Italy. The Prime Minister will meet members of Pakistani community based in both these countries.
Pakistan enjoys extensive commercial co-operation with Germany, which is the fourth largest trade partner of Pakistan in the world and the second largest in Europe.
Major items of import from Germany include machinery, chemical products, electrical products, automobiles, engineering products, metals and processed food, pharmaceuticals, paper and paperboard and iron and steel.
Exports from Pakistan comprise rice, fruits & vegetables, tobacco, textile products of all kinds. Crude vegetable materials, leather, manufactures of rubber and fur skins, carpets and rugs, mineral manufactures, cutlery, travel goods and bags, medical/surgical instruments, sports goods, toys, garments of art silk, sheep casings, leather products, fish products. Germany is also a major foreign investor in Pakistan.
Italy is one of the largest trade partners of Pakistan in Europe with a two-way trade of over $760 million. Pakistan's exports to Italy mainly comprise of raw cotton and cotton yarn, textiles and hosiery, leather and leather products, sports goods, surgical instruments and carpets and rugs.
Imports from Italy include machinery, chemical and pharmaceutical products, vehicles and auto parts, textile machinery and telecommunication equipment.
Italy has been a major investor in Pakistan and Italian firms have been involved in the construction of mega infrastructure projects, including Tarbela dam.
Prime Minster's visit to Germany and Italy would help enhance existing bonds of friendship between the two countries as well as promote understanding on issues of mutual interest.
The tour has an economic thrust and would provide a major impetus to the ongoing co-operation in various fields, particularly, in the area of trade and investment, where there is a vast scope for broadening and deepening the mutually beneficial interaction.
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