EU member countries are ready to cooperate with Pakistan in achieving food security & SDGs: Irena Gancheva

ISLAMABAD, Jan 29 (SABAH): Ambassador of Bulgaria to Pakistan Irena Gancheva says Islamabad and Sofia are committed to enhance cooperation to increase trade cooperation through economic diplomacy as there is lot of potential in the area of economic relations.

During an interview with official media, she said a Joint Economic Commission is already working to enhance the trade volume and next session of the commission will be held this year.

The Ambassador said both countries are all set to resume the contacts between business communities of two countries after meeting of commission.

She said Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce had signed an MoU last year to promote bilateral trade and investment in diverse sectors and establishment of Bulgaria-Pakistan Joint Business Council.

In reply to a question regarding current trade volume, she said that there are lot of opportunities in various fields and both countries are taking measures to induce the investors through incentives and during nine months of last year volume increased by 91 million dollars.

The Bulgarian Ambassador said her country imports Pakistani textile products, cotton fiber, surgical instruments and leather products and there is a need to increase cooperation in agriculture and IT sectors.

She said Bulgarian Agricultural Academy and Pakistan Agricultural Research Council have signed a MoU to collaborate in research and expertise to increase per acre yield and share the experiences of each other.

The Envoy said European Union member countries are ready to cooperate with Pakistan in achieving the food security and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

About energy sector investment, she said the next meeting of Joint Economic Commission will explore investment opportunities in energy sector and Bulgarian companies will be invited to discuss modalities.

Irena Gancheva was optimistic that both countries will have a positive momentum in terms of cooperation in all fields in coming years and said medical students of Pakistan have a good destination for education in Bulgaria. She also stressed the need to increase cultural exchanges to bring people of both countries more closer and know how through exhibitions and visits of delegations comprising artists.