Ambassador of Romania in Islamabad, Nicolae Goia has said that his country was aiming to take annual bilateral trade with Pakistan up to $500 million in near future as both countries have great potential to promote trade in many areas.
Islamabad, (Pakistan Point News - 26th Feb, 2018) : Ambassador of Romania in Islamabad, Nicolae Goia has said that his country was aiming to take annual bilateral trade with Pakistan up to $500 million in near future as both countries have great potential to promote trade in many areas. The Romanian Ambassador stated this while addressing business community during his visit to Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ICCI) here on Monday. Mihai Stefan Dinu, Minister Counselor and Deputy Head of Mission of Economic Affairs also accompanied him at the occasion.
Nicolae Goia said that Pakistan and Romania enjoyed excellent political relations but economic relations were not up to real potential. He said Romania was keen to develop strong economic ties with Pakistan as it was an important country with great potential for business relations. He said that China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was an important project for Pakistan as it would promote regional connectivity and bring great economic dividends to Pakistan.
He said Romania was also interested in becoming a part of CPEC. The Romanian Envoy said that the security situation was quite better in Pakistan that would help in promoting business and investment activities. He said that Pakistan has the potential to achieve economic development like Japan in next 10-15 years as it has huge natural resources and potential to grow. He assured that his Embassy would work with ICCI to promote contacts between private sectors of Pakistan and Romania.
Speaking at the occasion, President ICCI Sheikh Amir Waheed said that the current volume of bilateral trade of around $100 million was not reflective of actual potential of both countries and strong efforts from both sides were needed to improve it. He said Pakistan and Romania could cooperate in many fields including mining, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, cement production, alternate energy sources, information technology (IT), sports, exploration of oil & gas & minerals, manufacturing of helicopters and defence industry.
He stressed that both countries should encourage frequent exchange of trade delegations and facilitate B2B contacts to realize actual potential of mutual cooperation. He said organizing exhibitions on reciprocal basis could be another effective tool to improve trade and exports. Sheikh Amir Waheed further said that CPEC has the potential to change economic dynamics of Pakistan and Romanian investors should explore JVs and investment in this mega project.
He assured that ICCI would work with Romanian Embassy to promote connectivity between private sectors of both countries. Senior Vice President ICCI, Muhammad Naveed thanked Romanian Ambassador for visiting ICCI and hoped for thriving trade relations between the two countries. Nisar Mirza Vice President ICCI, Mian Akram Farid, Mian Shaukat Masud, Shakeel Munir, Malik Sohail Hussain, Shekh Pervaiz Ahmed, Dildar Abbasi, Asif Chaudhry, Naeem Siddiqui, Fahad, Ms. Nasir Ali and others also spoke at the occasion and stressed for further improving bilateral trade and economic relations between Pakistan and Romania.
