The Economic and Commercial Representation, Embassy of Belgium in Pakistan is pleased to announce the arrival of a 15-member trade delegation comprising 12 leading Belgian companies from the Flanders Region and from the Walloon Region of Belgium. The trade delegation will be in Karachi on 5 and 6 October and in Lahore on 7 and 8 October 2015.
The delegation comprises of companies dealing in varied sectors like Steel, Wood, Food and Food Ingredients, Building Materials, Telecommunications and Information Technology, Medical Analogue and Digital Imaging Systems, Logistics, Industrial Equipment and Machinery, Engineering Consultancy for Ports and Water Management etc. The Economic and Commercial Representation has organised an extensive B2B meetings programme in both cities as well as company visits and interaction with the Chambers of Commerce & Industry in Karachi and Lahore.
The delegation is accompanied by an Official of the Flanders Investment and Trade Agency. His Excellency the Ambassador of Belgium and the Trade Commissioner will also be present with the delegation which is expected to also call on High dignitaries during their stay in the two provincial capitals. Belgium is one of the most dynamic and open economies both in Europe and world-wide. Foreign trade is the lifeblood of the Belgian economy. Export and imports account for more than 70 percent of GDP. It is the 8th largest exporter of goods world-wide and the 13th largest exporter of services in the world. GDP per capita is higher in Belgium than the European average. Belgium is also among the top 10 destinations for foreign direct investment world-wide.
An overview of Belgian-Pakistan bilateral trade shows a steady increase every year with the balance of trade more or less equally distributed. The bilateral trade figures for 2014 show a positive growth with Belgian exports touching 321 million Euros and Pakistani exports also recording 356 million Euros. This makes Belgium the 5th largest trading partner of Pakistan from within the 28 EU countries.
Belgium is a viable and trustworthy partner with solid credentials in the industrial and business world. The importance it attaches to its relations with Pakistan is quite evident in its approach. Pakistan presents a multitude of opportunities and challenges to Belgian companies to export goods and services to meet the emerging needs in terms of infrastructure, environment, energy, transport and telecommunications. These are the niche markets in which Belgian companies have already proved their know-how and expertise. It is expected that this visit will further consolidate the ever increasing trade between the two countries.-PR