RECORDER REPORT

MULTAN: Ambassador of France in Pakistan Martine Dorance said “we have to get No-objection certificate from 26 other members of European Union before issuing visa to businessmen, traders, exporters and other persons because this visa is valid for all the 27 member states of European Union.

She says “economic, political and diplomatic relations between the two countries are strengthening day by day. Pakistan has great potential to expand business relations with France as it was an important economy of European Union and Pakistani private sector should adopt a proactive approach to explore new avenues of promoting trade and exports with French counterparts.”

The ambassador was addressing a meeting of business community held at Multan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) on Monday after inaugurating an exhibition of local artisans organised by Multan Chamber. She appreciated the skill of local artisans particularly women.

MCCI President Khawaja Jalaluddin Roomi presided over the meeting.

The French ambassador said “France is keen on boosting mutual trade ties with Pakistan,” and also assured all-out efforts to increase mutual trade volume in favour of Pakistan, saying the Pakistani business community should ensure maximum exports to France and other European Union countries through France by taking full advantage of GSP Plus status.

Martine Dorance invited the Multan exporters to divert their business activities to France. She said the exporters were much aware of the international quality standards and they also had great potential to explore markets of France and EU countries. She asked the manufacturers, industrialists and exporter of South Punjab to participate in the international trade fairs and exhibition in France. She said France would encourage regular exchange of mutual trade delegations.

She witnessed the craftsmanship of artisans and appreciated them, and said mega expos of textiles, furniture and food products would be held in France and Pakistani businessmen should ensure maximum participation in those expos to explore new areas of mutual cooperation. She said MCCI should explore the possibility of taking a delegation to France and his Embassy would facilitate in making its visit successful.

In his welcome address MCCI President Khawaja Jalaluddin Roomi said France was showing great interest in CPEC projects and his Embassy would play role in bringing French investment to Pakistan. Roomi said $ 1.5 billion bilateral trade between France and Pakistan was not reflecting true potential of both countries and trade diversification was the way forward to further improve bilateral trade between the two countries. He said many Pakistani products including mango, textile products, bed wears, sports goods, surgical instruments, leather products, gloves of all sorts, textiles items, sports wears, uniforms & accessories, musical instruments, kitchen ware, cutlery items. He said many sectors of Pakistan’s economy including energy, agriculture, transport, construction, pharmaceutical, health, water and sensitization and utilities offered great potential to foreign investors.

Martine Dorance also visited the mausoleum of Hazrat Moosa Pak (RA) where Syed Wajahat Hussain Gilani and Dr Javed Siddiqui welcomed her. She laid a wreath on the grave and also met traders and newly elected chairman of local councils. Phillippe Fouet, economic counsellor of France, Ashiq Hussain Qureshi Honorary Counsel of France, Shaukat Hussain Director Pakistan-France Business Alliance (PFBA) were accompanied by her.