RAWALPINDI (special crosspondent) – Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Pakistan, H.E. Ina Lepel, conducted an official visit to the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (RCCI), where she was received by RCCI President Usman Shaukat, Senior Vice President Khalid Farooq Qazi, Vice President Fahad Barlas, members of the Executive Committee, and key representatives from diverse business sectors.

RCCI Proposal for Enhanced Trade Ties

In his opening address, President Usman Shaukat proposed the establishment of a dedicated German Trade Desk in Pakistan to streamline operations for local enterprises. This initiative aims to assist Pakistani companies in identifying new markets, unlocking potential business opportunities, and fostering commercial partnerships with Germany. Furthermore, Shaukat suggested the formation of a Pakistan–Germany Joint Chamber of Commerce to facilitate better networking, information exchange, and structured business-to-business cooperation, similar to strategic initiatives seen in other sectors, such as growing digital connectivity.

Strategic Sectors for Bilateral Collaboration

President Shaukat identified several high-growth areas ripe for bilateral collaboration, including agriculture and agri-tech, IT and software development, fintech, smart and energy-efficient construction, pharmaceuticals, precious stones and mineral extraction, mining, and SME capacity building. He noted that Germany remains Pakistan’s primary trading partner within the European Union, with total bilateral trade volume now exceeding US$2.5 billion. Currently, Pakistan’s exports to Germany reach approximately US$1.7 billion against imports of US$880 million. Shaukat explicitly acknowledged Germany’s consistent support for the GSP+ framework, which he credited for the recent growth in Pakistan’s export sector.

German Ambassador Reaffirms Economic Commitment

During an interactive dialogue with the business community, Ambassador Ina Lepel emphasized Germany’s firm commitment to deepening economic ties, particularly in domains such as climate change mitigation, health and social protection, private sector development, and technical vocational training. Ambassador Lepel underscored the necessity for Pakistani SMEs to integrate into global markets by participating in international trade fairs and adopting eco-friendly, sustainable production methodologies. The Ambassador lauded the resilience shown by the Pakistani business community despite existing economic hurdles and affirmed that collaborative efforts regarding GSP+ policies would continue. This visit underscores the ongoing efforts by regional bodies to improve the national economic landscape, mirroring recent discussions on governance and development. Furthermore, both parties discussed the importance of technology transfer and sustained investment, essential elements for long-term growth similar to initiatives managed under digital policy frameworks.