The participants in the Economy Talks at the Munich Security Conference see a significant cooperation potential between Germany and Pakistan. German entrepreneurs and investors have recognised the economic potential of these concurring factors.
Due to its geostrategic location, Pakistan is an increasingly important logistical hub. The country’s rapid economic development brings with it an increasing demand for energy. The joint invitation of Dr. Pantelis Christian Poetis, Honorary Consul for Bavaria and Prof. Dr. Ursula Männle, the chairwoman of the Hanns-Seidel-Foundation, attracted significant numbers of key decision makers from business, finance and politics.
Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, whose responsibilities significantly also include energy and water resources, pointed out the close relationship between security and basic economic conditions: the absence of economic progress promotes extremism. Thus the main goal of the Pakistani government is to maintain friendly with neighbouring states and thereby improve domestic entrepreneurial opportunities. „One says that the early bird gets the worm: now is the time to invest in Pakistan“ said Asif.
Ambassador Syed Hasan Javed in particular stressed the trustworthy partnership between Pakistan and Germany. German support during the recent natural catastrophes will be long remembered. „The foundation of G.A.T.E. to Pakistan is a strong indication of the German government“s recognition of the importance of economic cooperation with Pakistan“ said Ambassador Javed. Given Pakistan“s need of energy to sustain future growth, the energy sector offers lucrative investment opportunities.
In bilateral discussions held by Liu Zhenmin, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs of China and Defence Minister Asif before the Economy Talks, both sides agreed to intensify cooperation.
Chinese business representatives also attended the Talks to intensify discussions about the merits of the Sino-German Ecopark established in Qingdao. The industry park’s ecological advantages, realized through cooperation with German corporations, were being regarded as visionary by the Pakistani representatives, who would like to consider environmental aspects at the current early stages of industrial development projects.
G.A.T.E. to Pakistan was founded by Honorary Consul Dr. Poetis in cooperation with the German Embassy in Islamabad, General Consulate in Karachi, German Pakistan Trade and Invest (GPTI), Pakistan-German Business Forum (PGBF) and the Pakistani Board of Investment. The first major project of the newly-founded organisation, the establishment of a Special Economic Zone near Karachi for German companies , was made public at the Economy Talks.
As Poetis explained at the end of the event in the Hotel Bayerischer Hof, „Pakistan is the ideal logistical corridor for Central and Western Asia. German investors and businessmen attending this year“s Economy Talks have shown great investment interest in Pakistan. The strong emphasis placed on security by the Pakistani delegation has certainly contributed to confidence on the part of potential investors. It is with great confidence that we look forward to emerging cooperation.“
The aims of G.A.T.E. to Pakistan e.V. are the promotion of international understanding between the nations, mutual cultural as well as academic exchange and encouragement of development cooperation between the Federal Republic of Germany and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. The Association has the following goals:
a) to promote the German-Pakistani friendship,
b) to provide adequate information to German and Pakistani citizens about challenges, questions and events interesting for both sides,
c) to promote and to deepen relations in the areas of culture, science and research,
d) to promote and to intensify cooperations regarding development projects, among others in the areas of health and infrastructure.
G.A.T.E. to Pakistan e.V., a non-profit organisation, is under the patronage of both the German Embassy and General Consulate in Pakistan and is supported by the Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany as well as Pakistan“s Board of Investment. GATE Pakistan also cooperates with other business organisations in Pakistan including German Pakistan Trade and Invest (GPTI) and the Pakistan-German Business Forum (PGBF).
Kontakt
G. A. T. E. to Pakistan e.V.
Murad Mehmood
Habenschadenstraße 13
82049 Pullach
+49 89 75 90 05 0
+49 89 75 90 05 75
GATE@power-group.net
www.gate-pakistan.de