Designated Pakistan’s Ambassador to Ireland, Ayesha Farooqui, has said that Pakistani youth can benefited from the opportunities available in Pakistan through the promotion of biomedical engineering from universities certified by Irish educational institutions. Pakistani youth can go for biomedical engineering in Ireland. She was addressing the luncheon meeting organized in her honor at Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI).
KATI President Faraz-ur-Rehman, CEO of KITE Limited Zubair Chhaya, Senior Vice President Nighat Awan, Vice President Muslim Mohammadi, Former Presidents Zahid Saeed, Masood Naqi, Saleem-uz-Zaman, Ehtshamuddin and other members were also present in the ceremony.
Pakistani Ambassador-designate Ayesha Farooqui further said that we need to increase the competence and skills of our students and develop them on modern lines. Ireland is also known as the Silicon Valley of Europe. It is a small country with a population of 5 million, but has a large presence in technology and the European market. Ayesha Farooqui said that Ireland is the only English-speaking country in the European Union, from which Pakistan should take full advantage. She said that an ambassador acts as a bridge between two countries and their people. The ambassador has to take steps to promote bilateral relations by keeping an eye on both political and economic aspects. She said that before assuming the responsibilities in Ireland, wanted to know how I can contribute positively to the economic stability. Ayesha Farooqui said that if KATI brings trade delegations to Ireland, she will fully support it and provide all the assistance. She said that they will make every possible effort to remove the ban on Pakistani Sea Food in the European Markets. In this regard, all the stakeholders of the sector, including KATI, should submit their suggestions so that she can exercise influence in the European Union after taking office.
Earlier, KATI President Faraz-ur-Rehman said that it is unusual for an ambassador to do homework before assuming the post as ambassador to a designated country on the economic situation and the opportunities available. It is hoped that Ayesha Farooqui will be able to play a positive role in promoting of Pakistani youth and economic activities in Ireland for what she is preparing herself before taking charge as ambassador to Irelanad President KATI said that there are visa issues from Pakistan to European countries including Ireland, which is the reason why Pakistan’s leather exports are being affected badly. He said that only in Karachi, around one and a half lakh youth are earning a living by virtual assistant or freelancing. However, Pakistani youth are not having to compete with other countries in the region for which they are not fully prepared. In this regard, Ireland is an important market with immense business opportunities in the IT sector. There is a need to bring the skills of Pakistani youth to global standards so that they can get more employment opportunities. Faraz-ur-Rehman said that Europe has been banned from Pakistan for the past 11 years in the fisheries sector, and no progress is being made.
Zubair Chhaya, CEO of KITE Limited, said that unfortunately, political interference in Pakistan has destroyed the diplomatic relations and the image of Pakistan at the international level. Trade officers and commercial attachés in Pakistani embassies around the world have been appointed on political grounds who have been unable to bring economic benefits to Pakistan. This is the reason why Pakistan is suffering from economic decline. Pakistan has a 1400 km long coastline that has the best seafood in the world, but due to the ban in the European Union, Pakistani products cannot reach the global market.
Former President Zahid Saeed said that Ireland’s pharmaceutical sector is considered the best in the world. We want technology from Ireland to be transferred to Pakistan so that Pakistan can be self-sufficient in the field of pharma in the global market. However, the embassy can play an important role in solving licensing issues in Ireland for the export of medicines from Pakistan.
On this occasion, Masood Naqi said that there is a need to improve the image of Pakistan at the global level. Negative propaganda is done against Pakistan at the international level due to which investors do not turn to Pakistan. He said that the 10-year period of GSP scheme is ending next year, which extension is very necessary.
Speaking at the event, Vice President Muslim Mohamedi said that seafood has been banned in European countries for the past 11 years, while in Pakistan, all international standards and laws are followed, almost all companies are ISO certified, but despite this, European Countries are not lifting the ban. He said that fisheries sector is exporting 350 million dollars while if a little attention is given to this sector, this sector has the potential to export more than 1 billion dollars for Pakistan.
Photo Caption: KATI President Faraz-ur-Rehman and CEO KITE Zubair Chhaya presenting the shield to Ayesha Farooqui, Pakistan’s Ambassador-designate to Ireland. Nighat Awan, Muslim Mohamedi, Masood Naqi, Ehtshamuddin, Salman Sabri, Nasir Sheikh and Aamir Yousuf are also present.