STAFF REPORT IBD: Neitherlands has shown keen interest for investment in the main fields especially education, water management, good governance and education.
The ambassador said the Netherlands enjoys good relations with Pakistan, which dates initially back to the traders of the 17th Century in Thatta and now the focus of Pakistan should be on trade instead of aid.
Netherlands Ambassador Marcel de Vink expressed this interest during a meeting recently held with
On the import side, Centre for Promotion of Imports from developing countries (CBI) works with Pakistan to make them more competitive. They have had successes in automotive parts, surgical instruments, agriculture and have recently signed a MoU with Pakistani business support organisations to jointly provide training and for capacity building.
GSP Plus status is expected to provide boost to imports from Pakistan, hopefully not only textiles, but also diversification into other product lines. The Netherlands supported GSP Plus status from the beginning with the new status.
“We are also looking to bring in a trade mission focusing on agriculture and water,” he said. The Netherlands is also the fifth largest investor in Pakistan, he claimed.
The Mehran University in Jamshoro is successfully implementing a course on ground water management, The Aga Khan University, a community health programme and Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and reforms have also availed this specialised training.