ISLAMABAD: Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Pakistan Tomáš Smetánka has said that the bilateral trade volume between Czechia and Pakistan reached more than $300 million and both sides were focusing on enhancing trade in several sectors like the agriculture sector and mining industry.
“Pakistan’s exports to the Czech Republic are around four times higher than the Czech exports to the South Asian country. Pakistani exports in sportswear, textile, leather products and foodstuff were much higher. However, Czech embassy in Pakistan is working to ensure the bilateral trade exchange is more balanced as Islamabad has surplus exports,” Ambassador told the media during an interview.
The envoy said it was primarily because of introducing of the GSP plus trade mechanism, which permitted Pakistani exports to Europe.
Pakistan-Czech Republic Trade ties
He added, “Few delegations are arriving in Pakistan to further enhance investments and trade in the country. They are interested in the mining sector, especially in Balochistan, as this country has relatively well-developed mining system.”
In reply to a question about the renewal of GSP plus the status of Pakistan, the envoy said that it contributed to our ties with Pakistan in both ways. One helps Pakistani industries and exports to the EU, while the other improves Pakistan’s labour rights.
He added that Pakistan also fulfilled all the conditions of ratifying the 26 deals that are a condition for GSP plus status. Responding to a question regarding educational cooperation, he said that currently, the Czech Republic has seven times more students from Pakistan than it had a decade ago.
He maintained, “Our universities have agreements and deals on cooperation with the universities in Pakistan and asked for institutional partnerships between the two nations to seek potential and talented students in all subjects especially in science and technology.
Replying a question regarding the Czech Republic’s role in combating challenge of climate in Pakistan, he said, “His nation takes climate change a very serious issue and has contributed to the ‘Green Climate Fund’.
He said that the Czech Republic also valued its historical ties with Islamabad and also enjoyed the multifaceted collaboration, saying that the two sides significantly developed their economic, defense and political cooperation.
