ISLAMABAD: A joint Pakistan-Germany business platform called Pakistan GATE (German Association Trade and Economy) for the further development of trade and investment projects was launched in Berlin.

The Pakistan Embassy in Berlin and the German Embassy in Islamabad will serve as patrons through the respective ambassadors, Syed Hasan Javed and Cyrill Nunn.

The establishment of Pakistan GATE is based on an initiative by Pakistani Honorary Consul in Munich, Dr Pantelis Christian Poetis, and companies from both countries.

The Special Representative of the German government for Pakistan and Afghanistan, Michael Koch, who is also the former German ambassador in Pakistan, launched the forum during a founding ceremony at the Foreign Office in Berlin on Tuesday.

Pakistan Ambassador to Germany, Syed Hasan Javed and German Ambassador in Pakistan, Cyrill Nunn officially signed the declaration to establish the business platform. The forum will provide extensive knowledge and key local contacts in Pakistan to German investors with special focus on medium and small size enterprises (SMEs) for establishing their business houses and manufacturing units in Pakistan.

Pakistan Gate will also act as a counterpart of the two existing business councils in Pakistan: German-Pakistan Trade and Invest (GPTI) and Pakistan-German Business Forum (PGBF).

Commenting on the establishment of new business platform, Ambassador Nunn said: “Pakistan Gate will act as a port of call for all companies and organisations interested in investment and trade between Pakistan and Germany.”

Speaking on the occasion, Germany Special Envoy Dr Koch said that the forum is a business-driven initiative and has nothing to do with politics. “German World Cup winners and “Brazuca” was a great combination and we could capitalise on this,” he added.

Published in Dawn, August 28th, 2014