Karachi, May 22, 2024 – The Ambassador of the Republic of Poland, Maciej Pisarski, announced that Pakistan exports to Poland have reached $800 million due to the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) Plus arrangement.
This agreement provides duty-free access for Pakistani goods to Polish markets, significantly boosting trade between the two countries.
The overall trade volume between Poland and Pakistan now exceeds $920 million, with Poland’s exports to Pakistan standing at $128 million last year. Ambassador Pisarski, leading a high-level Polish trade delegation to the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) on Wednesday, emphasized the substantial potential for further trade growth.
“Given the enormity of potential, we aim to approach this by introducing Polish businesspeople to Pakistan, helping them explore future partnerships and gain firsthand experience,” Pisarski stated.
Joining Pisarski at the KCCI were Honorary Consul General of Poland in Karachi Mirza Omair Baig, KCCI President Iftikhar Ahmed Sheikh, Senior Vice President Altaf A. Ghaffar, Vice President Tanveer Ahmed Barry, Former President Majyd Aziz, Chairman of the Diplomatic Missions & Embassies Liaison Subcommittee Farooq Afzal, and other KCCI Managing Committee Members.
Pisarski underscored the need to expand Polish-Pakistani trade and economic relations, noting that the Polish business community is eager to explore new markets globally. “We are grateful to the Ministry of Climate for sponsoring this trip to Pakistan. Such activities are vital for reinvigorating our cooperation,” he added.
Highlighting Karachi’s historical significance, Pisarski recalled that the city provided refuge for thousands of Polish citizens during World War II. “Polish pilots, instructors, and engineers also came here after the war to help establish the Pakistan Air Force. These strong people-to-people connections have laid a foundation for our 62 years of fruitful diplomatic ties,” he said.
Poland’s economy, now the 21st largest in the world with a GDP of $1.4 trillion, is known for its dynamism and resilience. Pisarski pointed out that Poland has been the fastest-growing economy in the European Union, with a 900% increase since 1990. This year, Polish imports and exports are expected to reach around $700 billion.
KCCI President Iftikhar Ahmed Sheikh warmly welcomed the Polish delegation, emphasizing the untapped potential in the bilateral relationship. “There is a pressing need to expand trade, investment, economic, cultural, and people-to-people relations to fully realize the benefits of our partnership,” he said.
Sheikh highlighted Pakistan’s strong textile manufacturing capabilities, noting significant investment opportunities for Polish firms in yarn production, fabric weaving, and garment manufacturing. He also suggested that Pakistan could attract Polish investment by promoting its Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and offering incentives like tax and customs duty exemptions and streamlined regulatory processes.
Additionally, Sheikh emphasized the need for improved inspection processes for Pakistani exports, suggesting prioritizing market preferences, planning awareness sessions for farmers, and enhancing government cooperation on pesticide-related concerns and laboratory testing. He also proposed nominating third-party laboratories to evaluate goods during shipping to ensure better adherence to regulations.
To further strengthen ties, Sheikh advocated for increased collaboration in education and technology through academic exchange programs, collaborative research projects, and online training platforms. Hosting trade events such as exhibitions, trade fairs, and networking sessions would also create new business opportunities and foster lasting relationships between Pakistani and Polish entrepreneurs.
Finally, Sheikh proposed developing a joint digital platform by the chambers of commerce of both countries to streamline trade and investment promotion. This platform could offer comprehensive services, including market intelligence, legal advisory, and business matchmaking, helping businesses stay informed and connected with the latest market trends and regulatory updates.
