Belgian envoy visits LCCI

LAHORE: Ambassador of Belgium to Pakistan Philippe Bronchain has said that trade, investment, economic and friendly relations between the two countries are very important to him and he has a mission to make these stronger, a statement said on Monday.

Speaking at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI, he said Belgium and Pakistan enjoy over 70 years of cordial relations, which have gradually expanded over the past decades.

There should be more interaction between the business communities of the two countries to enhance trade and economic cooperation, he said, adding that Pakistan is the beneficiary of GSP Plus Status and should avail full benefits from this facility.

LCCI President Irfan Iqbal Sheikh said that the two-way trade, which peaked in 2016 by reaching $1.22 billion, but subsided gradually to $979 million in 2018.

From 2017 to 2018, there were dips observed both in exports and imports between the two countries, he said, adding that the two countries need to make joint efforts to reverse this trend.