MULTAN, Pakistan: German Ambassador in Pakistan Ina Lepel has said that bilateral trade between Pakistan and Germany was on the rise despite difficult economic conditions.
While speaking at a dinner hosted by Multan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) in Multan, she said that Pakistani exports to Germany, particularly in textile sector, increased significantly after Pakistan won the GSP Plus status.
Talking about China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the German ambassador said that the German government was also taking interest in CPEC and was in contact with the Pakistani government.
Ina Lepel said that Pakistan and Germany need to expand relations in tourism sector, adding that it would improve relations between the peoples of the two countries.
She said that Germany was also extending full support to Pakistan in education sector and hundreds of Pakistani students were studying in Germany and their strength was rising every year. German institutions were providing education of high standards to Pakistani students in almost every discipline, she added.
Earlier, MCCI President Khawaja Jalaluddin Rumi said that South Punjab was the best destination for investment, adding that skilled labour was available at lower wages besides all kinds of raw material for agro-food processing units and textile.
He said that German investment under joint venture projects would not only be profitable but also helpful in providing job opportunities to the educated unemployed and to reduce poverty.
Rumi acknowledged German cooperation in different sectors and added that the Pak-German institute, set up decades ago at Chak 5-Faiz in Multan was providing quality education and training to students. He suggested that the institute be upgraded to contribute highly educated and skilled professionals to the agriculture sector.