Dance
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PESHAWAR, April 2: Brazilian Ambassador to Pakistan Alfredo Leoni here on Monday underlined the potential for greater trade and technical cooperation between Islamabad and Brasília, particularly in the field of hydel power generation and alternative energy.
The diplomat, who was on his maiden visit to Peshawar, acknowledged that there was a great potential for improvement in terms of trade and investment between the two countries.
Pakistan is not too well known to markets in Brazil, Mr Leoni, who also holds the charge of ambassador to Afghanistan and Tajikistan, told a news conference. But in terms of potential for trade and investment, there is a lot to do, he said.With a population of 192 million people, Brazil is also one of the worlds largest hydel power generating country, producing 260,000 megawatts of electricity as well as a major producer of bio-diesel.
Eighty seven per cent of cars run on ethanol. This technology was developed by Brazil. It has lessened our dependence on oil exports. We are starting to use it for airplanes, the ambassador said.
But despite being Pakistans largest trading partner in Latin America, trade between the two countries stands at $257 million.
Distance between the two countries is cited as a major reason for the low trade.
Asked if Brazil could help Pakistan with technical expertise in hydel generation and developing alternative energy including ethanol and bio-diesel, Mr Leoni said that Brazil could offer technical assistance.
He noted that Pakistan produced ethanol but did not export the fuel. He said that Brazil was willing to share its expertise and consider transfer of technology to Pakistan.The diplomat said that Brazil was also interested in expanding cooperation with Pakistan and had therefore, tripled the size of its diplomatic presence in Islamabad. He said that two Pakistani delegations were currently visiting his country to explore the potential of cooperation in agro-business.
Mr Leoni also highlighted the cooperation in the field of education and said that 10 students from Pakistan all from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were in Brazil to get higher education.
He appreciated the role played by Pakistan in the war against terrorism and said that the sacrifices rendered by its people were commendable. We not only recognise its sacrifices but also praise it, he said.
Brazils Honorary Consul General in Peshawar, Amer Faruque, welcomed Ambassador Leoni on his first-ever visit to Peshawar.
Earlier, talking to business community at Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the ambassador said that positive image was imperative for bringing foreign investment to Pakistan.
He said that business community could play major role to improve Pakistans image abroad. Security, particularly bomb blasts in Pakistan, was major source of concern for investors and tourists, he said, adding his government was spending huge money on improving Brazils image.
He was of the view that exchange of business delegations between the two countries could improve Pakistans image and encourage investors in Brazil. He said that Brazil and Pakistan were working on a plan to relax travel restrictions and provide multiple visas to traders and investors of both countries to increase bilateral trade.
The Brazilian ambassador also visited the Peshawar Museum during his visit to the city.
The curator, Prof Nidaullah Sehrai, briefed him about the history of the museum and Buddhist civilisation of Gandhara. The ambassador was informed that the museum had the most extensive collection of Gandhara art in the county and was famous all over the world for its beautiful collection of the Buddhist art.
The ambassador showed interest in the Gandhara architectural pieces. In Buddha gallery, Prof Sehrai showed him faces of Buddha in different styles.
The envoy was impressed by the Arabic and Persian calligraphic specimens in various styles, miniature paintings and manuscripts, present in the Islamic gallery of the museum.
The wooden effigies from Kalash valley of Chitral were also of interest to him. The ambassador admired the embroidery of Swat valley in the ethnological gallery.
He said that he was motivated by Antonio Herman Benjamini, Judge of the Supreme Court of Brazil, to visit Peshawar Museum as he had visited it on March 22, 2012.
Brazilian envoy hints at aiding Pakistan in energy sector | Provinces | DAWN.COM
The diplomat, who was on his maiden visit to Peshawar, acknowledged that there was a great potential for improvement in terms of trade and investment between the two countries.
Pakistan is not too well known to markets in Brazil, Mr Leoni, who also holds the charge of ambassador to Afghanistan and Tajikistan, told a news conference. But in terms of potential for trade and investment, there is a lot to do, he said.With a population of 192 million people, Brazil is also one of the worlds largest hydel power generating country, producing 260,000 megawatts of electricity as well as a major producer of bio-diesel.
Eighty seven per cent of cars run on ethanol. This technology was developed by Brazil. It has lessened our dependence on oil exports. We are starting to use it for airplanes, the ambassador said.
But despite being Pakistans largest trading partner in Latin America, trade between the two countries stands at $257 million.
Distance between the two countries is cited as a major reason for the low trade.
Asked if Brazil could help Pakistan with technical expertise in hydel generation and developing alternative energy including ethanol and bio-diesel, Mr Leoni said that Brazil could offer technical assistance.
He noted that Pakistan produced ethanol but did not export the fuel. He said that Brazil was willing to share its expertise and consider transfer of technology to Pakistan.The diplomat said that Brazil was also interested in expanding cooperation with Pakistan and had therefore, tripled the size of its diplomatic presence in Islamabad. He said that two Pakistani delegations were currently visiting his country to explore the potential of cooperation in agro-business.
Mr Leoni also highlighted the cooperation in the field of education and said that 10 students from Pakistan all from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were in Brazil to get higher education.
He appreciated the role played by Pakistan in the war against terrorism and said that the sacrifices rendered by its people were commendable. We not only recognise its sacrifices but also praise it, he said.
Brazils Honorary Consul General in Peshawar, Amer Faruque, welcomed Ambassador Leoni on his first-ever visit to Peshawar.
Earlier, talking to business community at Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the ambassador said that positive image was imperative for bringing foreign investment to Pakistan.
He said that business community could play major role to improve Pakistans image abroad. Security, particularly bomb blasts in Pakistan, was major source of concern for investors and tourists, he said, adding his government was spending huge money on improving Brazils image.
He was of the view that exchange of business delegations between the two countries could improve Pakistans image and encourage investors in Brazil. He said that Brazil and Pakistan were working on a plan to relax travel restrictions and provide multiple visas to traders and investors of both countries to increase bilateral trade.
The Brazilian ambassador also visited the Peshawar Museum during his visit to the city.
The curator, Prof Nidaullah Sehrai, briefed him about the history of the museum and Buddhist civilisation of Gandhara. The ambassador was informed that the museum had the most extensive collection of Gandhara art in the county and was famous all over the world for its beautiful collection of the Buddhist art.
The ambassador showed interest in the Gandhara architectural pieces. In Buddha gallery, Prof Sehrai showed him faces of Buddha in different styles.
The envoy was impressed by the Arabic and Persian calligraphic specimens in various styles, miniature paintings and manuscripts, present in the Islamic gallery of the museum.
The wooden effigies from Kalash valley of Chitral were also of interest to him. The ambassador admired the embroidery of Swat valley in the ethnological gallery.
He said that he was motivated by Antonio Herman Benjamini, Judge of the Supreme Court of Brazil, to visit Peshawar Museum as he had visited it on March 22, 2012.
Brazilian envoy hints at aiding Pakistan in energy sector | Provinces | DAWN.COM
