German foreign minister arrives in Islamabad to meet PM Nawaz

[Devil Soul]

German foreign minister arrives in Islamabad to meet PM Nawaz
By Abdul Manan / Web Desk
Published: August 31, 2015

German Foreign Minister Dr Frank-Walter Steinmeier arrived in Islamabad for a two-day visit on Monday, Radio Pakistan reported.

According to sources, Steinmeier is expected to meet Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif at the PM House today. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s adviser on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi will also attend the meeting.


The German foreign minister is accompanied by a 32-member delegation, including the German ambassador in Pakistan and senior officials of the German foreign ministry. He will hold meetings with top civil and military leadership to discuss bilateral relations.

Earlier this year, PM Nawaz had extended an invitation to German Chancellor Angela Merkel and the country keenly anticipates her visit to Pakistan.

 

[Max Pain]

I smell a Volkswagen

 

[Zeeshi]

I smell a Volkswagen

haha me too

 

[Pakistanisage]

Breaking monopoly: Volkswagen to plant its feet in Pakistan? - The Express Tribune




Breaking monopoly: Volkswagen to plant its feet in Pakistan?
ByShahbaz Rana
Published: June 10, 2015

PHOTO: AFP

The incumbent government has gotten a rare opportunity to break the decades’ old monopoly of local car assemblers as world-renowned auto manufacturer, Volkswagen, is keen to introduce its brands in Pakistan.

Germany’s biggest and the world’s second largest automobile manufacturer in terms of market share, Volkswagen, wants to do business in Pakistan, said an official of the Board of Investment (BoI).

A 14-member business delegation of Germany businessmen is visiting Pakistan including representatives of automobile company, Volkswagen, said Dr Cyrill Nunn, German Ambassador to Pakistan on Tuesday. He was addressing a press conference to share details of what he described as a “highly important” visit.

According to Pakistani officials, Volkswagen was keen to do business and the government also wanted at least one European brand to set up a plant in the country to break the monopoly of local car assemblers. They said the three local assemblers have colluded and resultantly, on average, a locally-assembled car is roughly Rs500,000 expensive.

In allowing the new manufacturer to set up plants, the government has to amend its existing automobile policy, said Pakistani officials. They added that the government has decided, in principle, to amend the automobile policy and will add medium-knocked down (MKD) units in the definition. The German officials had requested the government to accommodate semi-knocked down and MKD units in the automobile category.

The Volkswagen is said to be engaged in negotiations with prospective local partners, said Pakistani officials.

In the next two years, the government will try to introduce at least one European brand – German or Italian – said Miftah Ismail, BoI chairman, while talking toThe Express Tribune. Ismail welcomed the German delegation, hoping that it will help strengthen bilateral economic ties.

“To get such a delegation into Pakistan, you have to persuade them and once they are in Pakistan they realise it’s a huge country,” said Dr Nunn.

Other areas of interest

Meanwhile, a multi-billion Euro energy giant, Voith, is also part of the business delegation. The company has won the contract for providing machinery and equipment for Dasu Hydropower Project and is now eying the Diamer-Bhasha Dam. Companies dealing in consumer goods and transportation are also part of the delegation, said the ambassador.

The delegation will hold meetings with Minister for Commerce, BoI, Chief Minister Punjab, besides meeting the business community leaders in Karachi.

The visiting delegation will be keen to know the steps the government was taking for economic reforms, reducing energy shortages and investment opportunities in Pakistan, said Dr Nunn.

Dr Nunn said that Pakistan’s decision to allocate funds for Diamer-Bhasha dam and two Liquefied Natural Gas-fired power plants in the new budget offers business opportunities and German companies will be bidding for these projects.

In 2014, Pakistan’s exports to Germany went up by 20% on the back of the Generalised System of Preference Plus scheme, said the ambassador. However, Germany’s exports to Pakistan plunged by 3.2% and this is also a reason behind the delegation’s visit, said the ambassador.

“The volume of bilateral trade, currently standing at €2.1 billion, is far less than the potential and even lower than Germany’s trade with countries like Bangladesh,” said Dr Nunn.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 10th, 2015.

 

[Dubious]

Yaar itni gariyan Pakistan mein arri hain but why isnt the price decreasing why is it still bloody expensive!


I could probably buy a new car from the showroom for much cheaper in Europe than in Pakistan!

 

[Neutron]

volkswagen..ki...super luxury cars kb aiiin gi Pakistan????

 

[Uzair Shafiq [Босс]]

when it's selling for 3lakh on a average give me a call
Whats the point if it's still going to be so damn expensive?

 

[mufti]

when it's selling for 3lakh on a average give me a call
Whats the point if it's still going to be so damn expensive?

You will get it in 3 lakhs by 2062. Save money until then

 

[Azog]

What a great news if Volkswagen really wants to invest in Pakistan.

when it's selling for 3lakh on a average give me a call
Whats the point if it's still going to be so damn expensive?

I'm okay if a sedan costs 18-20 lacs if it's as good as they manufacture in Germany.

 

[Sipahi]

That's good .... we Pakistanis enjoyed Japanese cars quite some time .... time for a change

 

[Uzair Shafiq [Босс]]

You will get it in 3 lakhs by 2062. Save money until then

then i'd be able to afford a tank why would i want a car =.=

 

[saiyan0321]

Great indeed. Foreign investment can do wonders for the economy and a little more competition in our auto market will help create a more user friendly environment. We may even see some price reduction. In fact since the company will market penetrating then it may give cars at a lower cost than normal market rates to create a customer base.

Its great that various nations are thinking of investing in Pakistan.

 

[graphican]

Haha I wish for German BMW! Come-on guys, Volkswagen is cheap as Ford... it is a wish and you can wish bigger.