Romania’s Ambassador to Pakistan Emilian Ion has stressed the need for strengthening trade and economic relations between Romania and Pakistan.
Speaking at a dinner at Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers and Exporters Association, the Romanian Ambassador said that Romania and Pakistan could enhance their cooperation in the fields of agriculture, alternate energy, information technology and textile.
He said that the Romanian market could have a big demand for the items produced in Faisalabad. There is a great potential for establishing joint ventures and business cooperation between Romania and Faisalabad based companies especially in the field of knitwear garment products.
Speaking on the occasion, Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers and Exporters Association Chairman Qamar Aftab said that Faisalabad is the largest textile centre in the country and has the distinction of having the biggest Yarn Market in the world. He said that Faisalabad also enjoys a unique distinction of having the largest concentration of power looms in a single city. The city is recognised as the 3rd largest knitting and hosiery trade center in the country.
Aftab said that Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers and Exporters Association is the representative body of hosiery knitted garments manufacturer and exporters. He said that the Association represents more than two thousand member companies across Pakistan. “We have regional offices in Karachi, Lahore, Faisalabad and Sialkot,” he said. “PHMA members are the largest job providers in the country providing livelihood for around half a million families. We add around $2 billion per annum to Pakistan’s exports,” he continued.
Aftab said that trade between Romania and Pakistan is very low. Pakistan exported goods to Romania worth $23.83 million whereas goods imported by Pakistan from Romania stood at $25.34 million, making trade balance favourable for Romania by $1.52 million. That volume, he said, has a great potential to grow under Emilion Ion’s export leadership.
“During the crucial GSP+ negotiations, Romania stood by Pakistan’s side. This helped Pakistan gain our GSP+ status. We are thankful to the government of Romania for its support,” the Hosiery Association’s president said.
FCCI President Chaudhry Muhammad Nawaz, PTEA Chairman Sheikh Asgher Ali, Amjad Khawaja, Zia Alamdar Hussain, Rana Mushtaq Khan and executive committee members were also present on the occasion.
