TAXILA: Romanian Ambassador Emilian Ion here on Saturday called upon the business community of Pakistan to evolve an effective and sector-specific strategy in collaboration with the businessmen of his country to increase trade between the two countries.

He was talking to newsmen after attending a function arranged by Pakistan-Romania Friendship Association here.

President of the association Zaffar Bakhtawari, former provincial education minister Mian Imran Masood and others were present.

The ambassador said Pakistan’s economy was growing at a fast pace and so was the case with the Romanian economy, adding both the countries were exploring more avenues of cooperation in diversified fields. He said Romania was the only European country which had four honorary consulates in different cities of Pakistan, including Faisalabad. The fast-changing global scenario demands an enhanced economic activity and exchange of trade delegations and joint exhibitions, he added.

Ambassador Ion stressed that Pakistan had great untapped potential which could be utilised by cementing the relationship between business communities of both the countries. “There is a dire need for exploring the potential in trade and commerce at the bilateral level as well as at the European Union level.”

In reply to a question, the ambassador said Romanian investors were keen to enter into joint ventures with their Pakistani counterparts and the two countries could enhance cooperation in the fields of agriculture, alternative energy sources, culture and manufacturing and information technology.

“We believe that these collaborative efforts can help double the volume of trade between Romania and Pakistan from the current $300 million within two years.” He said Pakistan was located at an import geo-strategic area and with better investment and trade policies it could be a favourite trade destination in Asia.

Exchange of delegations between Romania and Pakistan can also help boost the bilateral trade volume which at present does not match with the potential of the two countries.

Ion said Romania, being one of the largest members of the European Union, had many reasons for Pakistani businessmen to collaborate with their Romanian counterparts.

He said honorary consulates, business council and friends of Romania group had been established in Pakistan to strengthen mutual economic ties. He said a recent parliamentary delegation visit to Romania would lead to positive results for strengthening relations between the two countries.

He said Romania was offering cheap but quality medical education with 70pc lower tuition fees compared to the medical colleges in the UK and USA.

He said due to the paucity of doctors in Pakistan, medical students can avail the opportunity of the affordable medical education in Romania.

Earlier, addressing as the chief guest at the function at Zaildar House, he said such a platform played the role of a bridge between the two countries.

He said Taxila was a historical city and he always loved to visit the city in order to have first-hand information about its culture.

The Romanian ambassador called upon the Pakistani authorities to highlight the cultural importance of the city in Romania through the Pakistan embassy in Bucharest in order to attract more tourists.

Published in Dawn, May 1st, 2016