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EU Ambassador highlights intent for enhanced cooperation with Pakistan
Ambassador of the European Union HE Dr. Riina Kionka, Wednesday said that the EU is keen on enhancing cooperation with Pakistan and focusing on exploring more avenues of trade and investments in multiple sectors like information technology, surgical instruments, sports business, women entrepreneurs, education and textile industry. An exclusive interview with a private news channel […]
Ambassador of the European Union HE Dr. Riina Kionka, Wednesday said that the EU is keen on enhancing cooperation with Pakistan and focusing on exploring more avenues of trade and investments in multiple sectors like information technology, surgical instruments, sports business, women entrepreneurs, education and textile industry.
An exclusive interview with a private news channel said that the EU continued to support Pakistan’s economic development, adding that the bonds between the two nations are much older, cementing with each passing day.
Answering a question about educational cooperation, she said our institutional partnerships between universities of EU and Pakistan in the field of science and technology and higher education are seeking more potential for better outcomes, adding that EU application for 2024 scholarships is open for Pakistani students, they can apply for different study fields through EU program and enjoy their higher full funded studies in European countries.
She said that Pakistani students have received scholarships to study in European universities under the EU’s flagship program this year.
To another question, she said that the European Union was the largest destination for Pakistani exports, where the business community diversifies their exports to the EU to take maximum advantage of the EU’s GSP Plus scheme for Pakistan, which has recently been rolled.
Kionka also termed GSP Plus as tremendously crucial for Pakistan’s economy as it was beneficial not only for textile producers but also through the trickle-down effect of all those working in textile factories.
She also identified Gems and Jewelry, Tourism, Handcrafts, and Auto Parts, etc., as potential sectors under GSP Plus; the EU Envoy noted that 28 percent of Pakistan’s exports come to the European single market, which was a good number, but it could further be enhanced.
Talking about current political activities in Pakistan, she commented that the top EU diplomat in Pakistan has scheduled a series of meetings with political bigwigs to urge “timely, inclusive, and peaceful elections.” The EU sent a handful of top observances in Pakistan to share their expertise and to provide meaningful suggestions.
The ambassador said it was the EU priority of his mission to enhance parliamentary diplomacy, people-to-people exchanges, business opportunities, information, and renewable technologies, besides cooperation in the economic sector with Pakistan.
She mentioned that the EU-Pakistan Business Forum for Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) also provides opportunities for both EU and Pakistani businesses to work together to become engines of development and partnership and contribute to enhancing bilateral trade.
