MULTAN,Nov 11th: Dr Marc Barety, Ambassador of France to Pakistan stressed the need for enhancing cooperation between France and Pakistan and bilateral resolve to explore new opportunities to further our relationship.Delivering his speech at a meeting of Multan chamber of Commerce & Industry (MCCI) chaired by Sheikh Fazal Elahi,its president.The Ambassador was accompanied by his spouse Yasmeen Marc and head of department cultural Cooperation Mr.Andre. Dr.Marc Barety stated his confidence in Pakistan’s economy and said that the French companies were satisfied by the investment environment in Pakistan and were planning to invest more. He assured that there would be no delay in issuance of visa to businessmen and trade-visa will be issued within 15 days which would be valid for three to six month period..while Multiple visa will also be issued for one to five years.He further said that quick appointment facility would also be available in the embassy.The Envoy said that Visa-seekers would have to get book their room in any hotel of france. If they cancel their hotel booking after issuance of visa,then their visa would also be cancelled automatically. He further said that everyone can contact their economic section of embassy and call for any assistance.Marc Baréty said that his country wanted to improve trade ties with Pakistan as it was a potential market for trade and investment.He said that the 80 million strong middle class of Pakistan was an attractive market for French companies due to which they are taking more interest in Pakistan.The ambassador stated that the current volume of bilateral trade was not reflective of the true potential of both countries and it could be further enhanced by strong efforts from both sides.The French Envoy said that Pakistan and France were trading in limited items and both should focus on diversification of trade to achieve better results.He said that EU’s GSP Plus facility to Pakistan has enabled it to enhance exports to the EU by 60%.However, he added, that instead of relying on textile products, Pakistan should focus on value-added agro-food products, medical appliances, dairy products, and others to further enhance its exports to the EU, including France.He said that renewable energy items, turbines for hydro-power, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, energy, water, and helicopters were other potential areas of mutual cooperation between Pakistan and France.He said a “Doing Business in Pakistan” forum was held for French companies in Dubai and another will be held in the near future to attract more French companies to Pakistan. He assured that the French Embassy would assist the Pakistani business community in doing business with France.He said his government had already provided sizeable financial assistance, particularly in the water and hydropower sector.The ambassador said the current portfolio of financial assistance amounted to $€800 to €900 million which came to $€100-150 million per annum, adding that the French government was considering increasing the assistance to €500 million per annum depending on the requirements.Dr Marc Baréty said the bilateral trade volume between Pakistan and France stood at around €$1.4 billion.He called for product diversification, saying that most of the trade between the two countries was in textile sector.He said that European Union`s Generalize Scheme of Preferences (GSP) Plus facility to Pakistan had enabled it to enhance 60pc exports to European Union countries.
Speaking at the occasion Sheikh Fazal Elahi, President, Multan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) said that Pak-France bilateral trade was around €1.4 billion, which was not encouraging.He said that both countries should focus on promoting business linkages between private sectors to further improve the bilateral trade volume.He said many Pakistani products including sports goods, surgical instruments, leather products, gloves of all sorts, textiles items, sports wears, uniforms & accessories, musical instruments, kitchenware, cutlery items, and military uniform badges, fresh fruits, vegetables could find a good market in France and France should import these products from Pakistan. Senior Vice President of MCCI Mian Rashid Iqbal said while presenting a vote of thanks that Chamber would like to work closely with France Embassy for promoting B2B contacts between private sectors of both countries in order to further improve bilateral trade and economic relations between Pakistan and France.He said that French investors should explore Pakistan for JVs and investment in various sectors of Pakistan’s economy.Later,Former President of MCCI Malik Asrar Ahmed Awan presented a crest of Chamber to the Guest
