Islamabad (TDI): The Dutch Ambassador to Pakistan, Robert-Jan Siegert, expressed optimism that improved macroeconomic conditions will win the confidence of foreign investors.
In a meeting with Pakistan’s Minister for Commerce, Jam Kamal Khan, the envoy noted that previously Dutch companies were facing hardship in repatriation of their dividends, but the issue has now been resolved with the cooperation of stakeholders in Pakistan.
The Ambassador also said that a formal round of discussion to explore new areas and opportunities of coordination and bilateral interaction is under consideration.
Talking about the upcoming GSP Monitoring Mission’s visit, Ambassador Siegert hoped that the interaction will improve relations between the European Union and Pakistan.
Minister Khan remarked that there is immense room for diversification in bilateral trade between Pakistan and the Netherlands.
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“There is huge potential to enhance the exports of agricultural and food products from Pakistan. There is a lot that can be explored to improve productivity as well as quality,” he said, adding “Rice is an important crop as well as a key export sector of Pakistan including exports to the Netherlands.”
The Minister also underscored the potential in services sector, and noted that the youth bulge in Pakistan is the reason why the services sectors can surpass goods exports in no time.
Commerce Minister also applauded the Netherlands-based Jazz Telecom and its role in Digital Financial Integration of rural population. He said that after 18th Amendment, many subjects have been shifted to provinces, however the Ministry is coordinating and sensitizing all the stakeholders in this regard.
Minister Khan also mentioned that Pakistan is working to expand its Dairy and meat sector and to enhance its exports in these two commodities. He urged the Dutch Ambassador regarding the possibility of technology sharing between the two countries in these sectors.
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