German Ambassador to Pakistan Ina Lepel on Thursday said Pakistan is moving in the right direction and Germany will boost trade cooperation with Pakistan. Germany is the second largest partner in trade with Pakistan in Europe and it will do whatever possible to improve these ties, she said. Ina Lepel, flanked with her Commercial Councillor Embassy Sabastian Ernest, said this while talking to President of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Abdul Rauf Alam.
Leaders of the business community including VP FPCCI Zafar Bakhtwari, Khalid Jaweed, Tariq Sadiq, Ijaz Abbasi, Arif Jeeva, Mian Shaukat Masood, Samina Fazil, Khalid Ch., Malik Sohail and others were also present on the occasion.
The ambassador said that there is a lot of potential for enhanced cooperation while the German companies would like to participate in the CPEC, energy generation and renewable energy and energy saving initiatives so that this country can overcome energy crisis. She noted that some German companies are facing some issues which would be resolved soon and the trade will improve as the law and order situation has improved.
It is difficult to bring German investors to Pakistan but there perception is changed once they visit this country, she said, adding that business to business meetings and exchange of delegations is the best way to boost economic cooperation.
The President of FPCCI Abdul Rauf Alam and other business leaders drew attention of the ambassador towards benefits of direct flights between the two countries and expressed concern over scaling down of operation in Pakistan by a leading engineering company. French and Japanese automobile multinational are planning to step into Pakistani market therefore German automakers should also consider investment in Pakistan, they demanded. They also asked her for investment by a specific firm known for making quality plants to rice and flour mills and having facilities in China and India. The business leaders said that they want joint ventures in steel sector and want to have German live animals and dairy products in Pakistan.