French businessmen keen to invest in Pakistan

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by ANSAR M BHATTI

ISLAMABAD, APR 9 (DNA) – The visiting delegation of leading French companies has expressed confidence in the economic policies of the government adding the business climate of Pakistan is improving gradually.The security situation has also been improved that is why leading French companies are keen to explore various business as well as investment opportunities in Pakistan.The head of the delegation Thierry PFLIMLIN and Ambassador of France Marc Barety expressed these views while addressing a press conference at the French residence.

The MEDEF international delegation comprised 30 leading companies. In 2017 20 leading companies visited Pakistan.

Ambassador of France said his country had relaxed travel advisory for Pakistan after marked improved in security situation was witnessed.

He said this travel advisory may further be relaxed subject to further improvement in the security situation in Pakistan.

He further said France wanted to help Pakistan change its image so that the country gets more and more foreign direct investments.

Talking about trade potential between the two countries, the ambassador said the trade volume was not up the mark keeping in view the available potential and stressed for enhanced trade cooperation between the two countries.

“One good way to develop this trade is to diversify trade activities”, he added.

To a question about CPEC, ambassador termed it an important project however he said France was present in Pakistan much before the advent of CPEC, with 1.4 billion Euro investments.

The ambassador said various French companies were engaged in capacity building and training of Pakistanis, especially the engineers.

Thierry PFLIMLIN the head of  the high powered business delegation represented by over 30 leading French companies, said, they had fruitful discussions with the Pakistan leadership.

He said the Prime Minister Imran Khan informed the various measures his government had taken to facilitate business activities including addressing effectively the issue of red-tap.

Thierry also lauded quality of people of Pakistan adding they are hard-working and very well educated.

He said, French companies genuinely want to explore various business opportunities in Pakistan that was reason that this high powered delegation has come here to interact with their Pakistani counterparts.

He further said, MEDEF international is a non project private-funded organization.

This organization is the most representative organization of the French private sector at an international level.

It gathers about 7000 French companies already operating in the world in 85 business councils headed by 55 CEOs of major international French companies.

Thierry PFLIMLIN further said, through its national and international networks, MEDEF international opens to the French companies a direct access to public and private decision makers, and vice versa.

It may be mentioned here that Pakistan and France enjoy long standing and mutually beneficial relationship not only because bilateral trade between the two countries in on a positive trajectory but France has also strengthened its position in terms of foreign investments and aid.. =DNA

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