French envoy emphasises commitment to better trade with Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: French Ambassador to Pakistan Nicolas Galey has affirmed the robust diplomatic and political relations between France and Pakistan, emphasizing a commitment to enhancing economic, trade and cultural ties.

In a meeting with Chairman of the France-Pakistan Business Forum Sardar Zahoor Iqbal at the embassy, Ambassador Galey highlighted the significant investments by French companies in Pakistan and the potential for increased collaboration between the private sectors of both nations.

“France values Pakistan’s efforts for regional peace and stability. The partnership between our private sectors will be promoted, capitalising on the excellent opportunities for foreign investment in Pakistan,” said Ambassador Galey.

He noted the substantial Pakistani diaspora in France and the vast potential for increasing trade volume between the two countries.

The envoy welcomed the resumption of PIA flights to Europe and said bilateral cooperation in the fields of public relations, cultural cooperation, trade and economics between the two countries is important.

He said a large number of Pakistani students were studying in France, while visa facilities had been increased for Pakistani students.

“The establishment of France-Pakistan Business Forum has increased cooperation in the trade sector,” he said.

The ambassador said the recent meetings between French President Emmanuel Macron and Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif had proven to be very fruitful and he hoped that a new era of cooperation would begin between the two countries. He said relations between the two countries are much better than before.

Sardar Zahoor Iqbal said that a few years ago, there was some deadlock in bilateral political and diplomatic relations between Pakistan and France, but the deadlock had ended. He said contacts and meetings between the top leadership of the two countries would provide a roadmap in taking the bilateral relations to new heights in future.

He said the current government had made great efforts to improve relations with France and in recent times, there had been several high-level contacts between the two governments. “We should play the role of a bridge between Pakistan and France and work to promote relations,” he said.

Sardar Zahoor said companies of Pakistani nationals in France should be facilitated and they should be helped with the embassy. “The Pakistani embassy and the ministry should also work together with us and motivate companies that are doing well to come to Pakistan, especially in the dairy sector; there is a need to take advantage of high expertise in France.”

He said that competition among companies in France was very tough, but if these companies were brought to Pakistan, business could be promoted.