Secretary
Commerce arrived in Italy on 23rd October, 2017 for a two day visit to
undertake meetings with high officials of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and
Ministry of Economy of Italy. During his stay in Italy, Secretary also met with
officials of Italian Trade Agency and Confindustria. The purpose of the visit
was to exchange views on matters pertaining to bilateral trade as well as to
discuss upcoming review of GSP+ scheme by the European Parliament. Mr. Nadeem Riyaz,
Ambassador of Pakistan in Italy, Ms. SairaImdad Ali, Commercial Counsellor of
Pakistan and Mr. Ahmed Fasih, Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Commerce also
accompanied Secretary Commerce in the meetings.
During
the meetings Secretary Commerce informed the senior officials of Ministry of
Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Economic Development that the bilateral trade
between Pakistan and Italy had grown at a substantial rate in recent years.
Both sides agreed that grant of duty free access to Pakistani products played
crucial in stimulating an impressive growth in bilateral trade. Bilateral trade
between Pakistan and Italy has increased from 906.96 million Euros in 2013 to
1.2 billion Euros in 2016. This represents an increase of 35%. Both sides
agreed that bilateral trade could be enhanced beyond the existing levels.
Secretary
Commerce informed the Italian officials that Government of Pakistan was
committed to implement UN Conventions pertaining to human rights, labour
rights, climate change, narcotics control and corruption. Secretary Commerce
highlighted that the principles of ethical supply chains, sustainable
development and good governance as enshrined in the international UN
conventions were in consonance with the provisions of the Constitution of
Pakistan. Secretary Commerce used this opportunity to highlight key legislative
and administrative actions undertaken by the Government of Pakistan to comply
with UN Conventions in recent years. These steps included establishment of an
independent National Human Rights Commission of Pakistan which was playing an
active role in expanding the HR regime in Pakistan. Secretary Commerce also
highlighted some of the epoch making steps undertaken to tackle the menace of
forced and child labour by the Federal and Provincial Governments.
During
the meetings the Italian side showed considerable interest in learning about
the investment opportunities in Pakistan in the fields of infrastructure,
energy and Automobiles. Secretary Commerce explained that Italian business
could benefit from opportunities available to foreign investors in Special
Economic Zones and Export Processing Zones in Pakistan.
The
Italian officials and their businesses were invited to participate in the
upcoming event of EXPO PAKISTAN to be held in Karachi from 9th to 12th
November, 2017 as a broad range of products will be put on display under one roof
by entrepreneurs representing all sectors from all over Pakistan. Both sides
decided to take concrete steps to make the upcoming meeting of Pakistan and
Italy Joint Commission scheduled to take place in January, 2018 a success.
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