FRANKFURT, July 10: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, who arrived here on Sunday on the first leg of his visit to Germany, said trade, commerce, transfer of technology, particularly in the field of alternative technology, would top the agenda during his talks with the German leadership.
War on terrorism, Pakistan’s relations with India, Afghanistan, Iran, China and other regional countries and Pakistan’s endeavour to promote enlightened moderation would also come up for discussions during his meetings with German leaders, Mr Aziz said.
In an informal chat with reporters on board his plane, the prime minister said he would strive to encourage German bankers and investors to come to Pakistan.
“One always starts with a disadvantage. But in diplomacy we talk to them about their interests. We have to package ourselves in such a manner so as to encourage others to come and invest,” the prime minister remarked.
Germany is Pakistan’s fourth largest trading partner and the second largest in Europe.
The volume of trade between Pakistan and Germany in 2003-2004 was $1.2 billion, according to figures provided by the Export Promotion Bureau of Pakistan. Trade is at present heavily tilted in favour of Germany.
One purpose of the prime minister’s visit to Germany is to boost exports to Germany and seek its support in overcoming the anti-dumping duty issue with EU.
“Chancellor Schroeder had promised to help during our last meeting and Germany has in fact brought down its anti-dumping duty. I am going to thank him for this”, Mr Aziz said.
He said that during his talks with the German chancellor the main focus would be to enhance trade, investment and economic cooperation.
He said that Pakistan was also interested in alternative technology to meet its growing energy needs. Germany produces 19000mw of electricity through windmills and other means of alternative energy.
Air Marshal (retd) Shahid Hamid, chairman of the alternative energy development board, who is travelling with the prime minister, told Dawn Pakistan was already in talks with German manufacturers to develop and transfer alternative technology.
He said that Chancellor Schroeder had earmarked Euro 1 billion for the development of alternative technology and Pakistan was interested in seeking assistance to meet its own energy needs.
But the prime minister said that Pakistan was more interested in the transfer of technology and skill development than cash. “We don’t need cash,” he said.
Prime Minister Aziz said he would also discuss Pakistan’s role in the war against terrorism in his meeting with the German leadership and project the true image of Islam particularly in the perspective of “enlightened moderation”.
Mr Aziz said his visit would also provide an opportunity to leading businessmen from Pakistan accompanying him to interact with their German counterparts. He said during his visit to Germany and Italy he would also interact with Pakistani community in these countries. He said these expatriates were playing a vital role in Pakistan’s economy, therefore the government wanted to provide them best possible facilities so that they could project the true image of Pakistan.
The prime minister is accompanied by Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri, Minister for Privatization Hafiz Sheikh and Minister for Information and Broadcasting Sheikh Rashid Ahmed.
