Belgium has strong diplomatic and trade relations with Pakistan and the existing level of mutual interest can be further strengthened in coming years through the promotion of trade between the two brotherly countries.
Belgian Ambassador Hans Christian Kint said this during his visit to Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI). The visit of the Belgian ambassador was aimed at meeting industrialists and exporters and to discuss the measures to enhance the existing trade and commerce relations.
During his short visit, he met FCCI Adhoc Management Committee chairman and members while members and prominent industrialists and exporters of the FCCI and both sides exchanged their views to re-energise the trade activities.
“I am very happy to tell you that Belgium is the 5th largest buyer of Pakistani products in European Union (EU) region”, said Kint adding that his country contributed about 10 million euros to support the flood rehabilitation activities in Pakistan. He acknowledged that Belgium was carrying out an assistance programme with the Punjab government for the development of educational institutions and academic infrastructure. He said that under the project, more than 100 schools had been upgraded so far and the programme was likely to continue.
While responding to a question about granting of the General Status of Preference (GSP) to Pakistan, he said there was a criteria prescribed by the EU and it was mandatory to fulfill the conditions. However, he assured that the Belgian government would strongly support Pakistan’s case in this respect.
He stressed the need that Pakistani High Commission in Brussels should take measures to promote Pakistani products in Belgium. He pointed out that although Pakistan was a business-conducive country but unfortunately due to the terrorist activities, the foreign investors in general and Belgian investors in particular were reluctant to invest in Pakistan. He further pointed out that not even a single Belgian company was in operation in Pakistan and added that it was the prime responsibility of the Pakistani government to emphasise the positive image of Pakistan.
He said that Pakistan-Belgium Business Forum based in Karachi was in operation since 1997 and had been playing a vital role for the enhancement of bilateral trade between the two countries. While briefing about bilateral trade, he said the Balance of Trade was in favor of Pakistan for last many years, however during the preceding year, the balance of trade was in favor of Belgium. Whereby Belgium exported 70% chemical products, about 60% machinery and parts etc last year and Pakistan exported about 72% of textile products and about 9% of food products. FCCI Adhoc Management Committee Chairman Muhammad Naseer said that FCCI was a keen supporter for strengthening economic relations with other countries.
He expressed his optimism that the current visit of Belgian ambassador to FCCI would surely open new avenues of trade. He anticipated that it was essential to identify the product specific demand, traditional as well as non-traditional that may benefit the two-way trade.
FCCI Executive Committee members Nighat Shahid, Zafar Iqbal Sarwer and other members Tallat Mahmood and Malik Muhammad Arshad also participated in the question-answer session.
KILLERS ARRESTED: At least two members of a gang involved in murder and looting of 28 victims were arrested from Tandalianwala by Faisalabad CIA police during a raid. The notorious Zafari gang is reported to have terrified the residents of Tandlianwala through their frequent night raids. The mastermind of the gang Zafar alias Zafari, a resident of Chak No 391 GB, and his accomplice Ajaz, a resident of Chak No 407 G, were arrested by CIA Sub Inspector Muhammad Aslam and his team. The police record says that on February 11, 2011, the gang members: Zafari, Ajaz, Falak Sher, Ali Raza, Zafari Bali, Sajid, Abdul Shakoor and Arshad Masih ambushed a rickshaw driver at the link road of Chanar Sugar Mills and murdered him for offering resistance during the robbery. Faisalabad City Police Officer (CPO) Dr Usman Anwar has announced rewards and appreciation certificates for the police party.