14 March 2004	Sunday	22 Muharram 1425

ISLAMABAD, March 13: Belgium will provide technical assistance for installation of composting plants for solid waste management in various cities of Pakistan.

A press release issued by the PID said that an agreement in this regard had already been signed between the city government of Lahore and Menart Spri of Belgium, while negotiations were underway with the ministry of environment and the CDA for setting up of the plant in Islamabad.

The matter was discussed in a meeting between Minister of State for Environment Maj (retired) Tahir Iqbal and a 22-member Belgium delegation headed by Belgium State Minister Philippe Suinen.

Mr Iqbal welcomed the assistance and cooperation being extended by Belgium and said Pakistan needed technical help in procuring equipment and technology, especially in the fields of solid waste management, control of vehicular emissions and renewable energy.

He said Belgium should consider providing catalytic converters for the vehicular emission testing system to be installed in the country soon.

He also urged the delegates to sponsor Pakistan in utilizing cheapest forms of renewable energy sources.

The head of the delegation said Belgium was keen to support Pakistan in fulfilling its commitments towards the Kyoto Protocol, and would provide financial assistance and technical expertise for various projects related to solid waste management, vehicular emission and use of renewable energy.

Business Visa: The Belgian embassy will issue visas to businessmen on the recommendation of all chambers of commerce and industry in Pakistan within a period of two weeks.

This was stated by Belgian Ambassador, Patrick Charlotte Renault in a meeting with the traders at Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The ambassador was accompanied by an 18-member business delegation, including the inspector-general, Belgian Walloon Export Agency, Silvana Flagothier.

The ambassador stated that a drop box facility was available at his embassy to get visa and the applicant will get reply in two to three weeks. However, in the past all this process took nearly 12 weeks.

He said the issue of anti-dumping duty on Pakistan's bed linen would be solved this year when it comes up for review and Belgium would fully support Pakistan's point of view.

Pakistan earns $500 million annually on this single items alone, having close to 30 per cent market share in the European Union.

Ms Flagothier said Belgium-Pakistan bilateral trade shows a steady increase every year with the balance of trade in Pakistan's favour.

Pakistan's export stood above 2.5 million euros representing an increase of 7 per cent over 2002 and Belgium exports to Pakistan stood at 165 million euro in 2002.

"The importance we attach to our relations with Pakistan is quite evident in our approach", she remarked and added "they were available to our friends in Pakistan with our offer of help and expertise, on technology and products, so that we may share our future together as we face the challenges of tomorrow".

The Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Zubair Ahmed Malik said that Pakistan was a gateway to Central Asian countries which provides lucrative market and prospects for investment in various products that are of interest to Belgium.

"Although our listing of foreign trade with Belgium is quite comprehensive it however lacks the depth in some sectors and your delegation visit would help in broadening the focus of Pakistan exports", he said.

Pakistan had a very friendly and conducive environment for foreign investment. He congratulated the members of the delegation for entering into joint ventures with their Pakistani counterpart in the field of environment and hoped more joint ventures agreements would be concluded with the visiting delegation members.