ISLAMABAD: Pakistan wishes to remain constructively engaged with the European Union (EU) and its member states to strengthen economic and trade relations, Trade Minister Syed Naveed Qamar said on Friday.
The minister said that in a meeting
with Polish Ambassador to Pakistan Maciej Pisarski in the minister’s room in parliament, a press release said. Federal Secretary Muhamad Sualeh Ahmed Faruqui, Deputy Secretary Syed Hamid Ali and Deputy Secretary Atif Aziz also attended the meeting.
Qamar said that
Pakistan wished to strengthen trade relations with the EU and its Member States in terms of protecting and promoting social and economic ties.
“Pakistan seeks
to strengthen its international relations, because it
refocuses on economic development through trade and connectivity, strengthening relationships with friends and partners remains Pakistan’s top priority.
He said that Pakistan and Poland continue to enjoy positive relations in bilateral trade, cooperation in education, parliamentary relations, among others.
“Poland produces 80% of its energy from coal and therefore can help Pakistan in this area since the country has huge coal reserves, adding in March 2023 that Pakistan would double its production, keeping
given its future importance in the field of energy.
Speaking on the occasion, the Polish Ambassador expressed his satisfaction with the growing volume of trade between the two countries, as Poland has become Pakistan’s 7th largest trading partner in the EU and its total bilateral trade in fiscal year 2021-22 reached approximately $506.6 million.
He added that the two countries have great potential in the field of energy, digital technology,
vehicles, machinery,
engineering goods, IT, pharmaceuticals, agriculture and tourism, which need to be upgraded to reach their real potential.
The Ambassador expressed concern over the problems faced by some Polish companies after a change implemented by the State Bank of Pakistan through all commercial sections of commercial banks to control foreign exchange reserves.
The Minister of Trade assured his full support in this regard and said: “All concerns of Polish companies will be addressed immediately after meeting with stakeholders”.
Earlier, the Ambassador expressed his sympathy for the current situation in Pakistan due to the floods and expressed his deep sorrow for the loss. He assured the full support of the Polish government.
