Islamabad: Ambassador of Portugal Mr. Paulo Nevez Pochinho has said that Pakistan is just like a home. People are hospitable and welcoming. Both countries have many commonalities including the love for sports and tourism. Pakistan students can take admissions in our institutions. Business community is invited to explore new avenues of joint ventures. Construction and Real Estate sector have tremendous potential of increasing the bilateral cooperation.
The Ambassador was speaking as Chief Guest at a forum of selected gathering at Center of Pakistan and International Relations (COPAIR) on 14 Dec 2021. The forum was organized in collaboration of Monthly International magazine “Pakistan in the World.” Chairperson of COPAIR, Ms Amna Malik and Editor Tazeen Akhtar were also among the speakers. President Islamabad Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Shakeel Munir and CEO of Fair Deal, renown real estate company of Pakistan, Mr. Abdul Rauf Chaudhary also graced the forum with their presence.
Ambassador Portugal in his keynote address to the participants shed light on the history of bilateral relations. He said that Portugal has ideal, peaceful atmosphere for Pakistani students including medical education. We welcome Pakistani students. They should consider our country as well when they search the opportunities of education abroad.
“Portugal earns 20% of its income from tourism. Pakistan has great tourism potential. I have visited many sites myself. Both countries can increase cooperation in tourism industry. Pakistani tourists visit Europe. They go to many European countries but they very rarely walk across Portugal. I invite them to see our country. Pakistani tourists can land in Lisbon and from there can reach to any other country easily.” Ambassador emphasized.
Mr. Paulo Nevez shared that my country is the best to spend good time. Many people from neighboring countries opt to live in my country after their retirement.
He said that construction and real estate companies of Pakistan are welcome to Portugal. We can connect the Companies and Chambers of Commerce of both countries to have interactive meetings for joint ventures.
Ambassador noted that Portugal is an open economy that suffered due to COVID-19 like all other countries. Now it is recovering. IT and Start Ups have special significance to boost an economy. Small companies do a lot in this regard. Pakistan has a lot of talent in IT and Start Ups. Both countries experts can benefit from this commonality.
“Another sector is textile and interior decoration. Both countries are exporters of textile. Ceramics industry is among the big industries in both countries. These sectors carry great potential of working together.” Mr. Paulo Nevez continued.
Earlier, Ms Amna Malik welcomed the Ambassador at the forum. She briefed the guests on her think tank COPAIR. She also shared her work on Pakistan -Portugal relations. She recalled her frequent visits to Lisbon and pleasant experiences of living and working there.
Editor Tazeen Akhtar, in introductory remarks, said that Portugal is sincere friend of Pakistan in European Union. Portugal’s policies at regional and international level are quite balanced. Portugal is among the top players of football and Pakistan is the main manufacturer of world class footballs. Vasco Da Gama, the great traveler of Portugal is known in Pakistan. He traveled around Africa to Arabian Sea and reached India. Portugal had established a small state at the mainland in India that was called Portuguese India. First Cochin in south India at eastern coast and later Goa was the headquarter of this state. Portugal handed it over to India in 1961. The President of Pakistan, Sikander Mirza payed official visit to Portugal in 1957.
Both countries can work together to turn the present cordial political ties into meaningful economic cooperation.
