Publish Date : 5/15/2007 8:17:00 PM Source : PRO to CM
The Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry will send a 15-20 member Trade Mission to Pakistan in September this year with a view to develop deep contacts with companies in Pakistan and to promote bilateral trade between Pakistan and France. Paris Chamber, a premier trade body in France with over 300, 000 members, is also considering sending a business delegation to Pakistan Expo next year.
This was disclosed by the President, Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), Mr. Pierre Simons in a meeting with Minister for Commerce, Mr. Humayun Akhtar Khan in Paris on 15 May 2007.
The Minister and the President PCCI discussed the possibility of a business education student exchange programme which would help each nation developing a better understanding of their respective business environment. This will also be useful in promoting bilateral trade and investment. Paris Chamber manages two business schools including HEC, among the leading business schools in Europe. It was decided that the two sides would start working towards formulating an institutionalized arrangement between the business schools in Pakistan and the schools of Paris Chamber. The Minister, while appreciating the efforts of the Chamber to promote bilateral trade relations, identified other areas where cooperation could be enhanced. He highlighted Pakistan’s capabilities in the field of textile industry, where, after elimination of quotas, there are ample opportunities for the French companies to source from Pakistan and build their production in the country. Other potential sectors included telecom, wholesale and retail, services, power generation, light engineering, and infrastructure development.
Discussing global, regional, and bilateral trading agreements, the Minister highlighted the need for improved market access for Pakistan to the EU and to start negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement with the EU. He requested the President Paris Chamber to look into this issue and to assist Pakistan towards this end.
Pakistan
