Islamabad, JUN 6 /DNA/ – Pakistan and Greece need to improve their commercial and economic relations to promote bilateral trade and investment by taking advantage of new business opportunities. This was stated by the Ambassador of Greece to Pakistan KONSTANTINOS MOATSOS visited the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI), Capital House, Islamabad to meet the Vice President of FPCCI Umar Masood-ur-Rehman and Mirza Abdul Rehman, Chief Coordinator, Brig Iftikhar Opel, SI (MI) Retd, Secretary General FPCCI and other prominent members of FPCCI.
The Greek ambassador further said that cooperation in solar energy, tourism, agriculture and infrastructure could help strengthen economic relations between the two countries as current annual bilateral trade between Greece and Pakistan was very low that needs to be enhanced by exploring areas of common interest. He said his country greatly valued ties with Pakistan and looks forward to further boosting these ties.
Umar Masood-ur-Rehman & Mirza Abdul Rehman was of the view that investment cooperation was another area in which both countries could collaborate for mutual benefits. Information technology, telecommunication, construction, automobile parts, food processing, fisheries, agriculture, hotel industry and real estate offer tremendous opportunities and potential for cooperation, he added. He said that organising of joint cultural shows and frequent exchange of business delegations are the options which can bring people of both the countries closer to each other that would eventually enhance the mutual cooperation between Pakistan and Greece. He further said that Pakistani investors in Greece may be encouraged through incentives and security. He pointed out that the immigration policy of Greece should be further liberalized for Pakistani people. The FPCCI always recommends filtered business people for visa to Greece Embassy so they should be given priority for visa, he added.
The Vice President FPCCI also proposed that a joint platform should be established between Pakistan and Greece, like FPCCI have Joint Business Councils with various countries which are functioning under the recognized national chambers of both countries. He further expressed that, if Pak-Greece Joint Business Council is established, the bilateral economic relations between both the countries will be further enhanced and strengthened.
Speaking on the occasion, Vice President FPCCI, Umar Masood UR Rehman & Chairman Coordination Mirza Abdul Rehman both expressed that this is the right time to focus on non-traditional markets, adding that frequent exchange of business delegations and establishing direct B2B contacts are the options, which should be used to exploit untapped bilateral trade and investment potential in both countries.He said that olive oil is one of the major and well-known products of Greece and is known to be the finest in the world. Pakistan is successfully exploring the opportunities in Olive oil production and Pakistan can take benefit from the experience of Greece.
