Germany’s Dr Arretz boosts Pakistan’s exports with training, investment

Celina Ali

Islamabad: Pakistan’s trade future is receiving a vote of confidence from German trade leader Dr. Michael Arretz, Managing Director of the German Importers Association, who is demonstrating this through significant investments and initiatives.

Dr. Arretz is currently in Pakistan, actively training local textile manufacturers, investing in the “Green Pakistan” project, and working to increase imports from the country.

His initiatives suggest a strong belief in Pakistan’s role as a key player in the global supply chain, despite concerns over the GSP+ program.

During his visit, Dr. Arretz emphasized Germany’s commitment to strengthening trade relations with Pakistan, with a focus on sustainability, quality, and long-term economic collaboration.

He highlighted that while Germany has historically sourced products from China, India, and Bangladesh, Pakistan is emerging as an increasingly important hub for textiles, home goods, and football manufacturing.

“Our approach is one of mutual growth. We are not just looking to import goods, but to build a partnership based on sustainability and innovation,” Dr Arretz stated.

“We see significant potential in Pakistan, and we want to help make the country an even more attractive partner for trade with Germany and the European Union.”

A key element of this collaboration is the “Green Pakistan” initiative, which seeks to promote sustainable manufacturing practices by encouraging energy and water efficiency.

Dr Arretz praised Pakistani factories, such as the world’s largest football manufacturer, for incorporating renewable energy solutions like solar panels and energy-efficient technologies.

“We want to bring more of these sustainable practices to Pakistani factories to help them reduce energy and water consumption and minimize CO2 emissions,” he explained.

“Germany looks for high-quality products that meet international sustainability standards, and we believe Pakistan can deliver.”

Germany’s government is also playing a role in this collaboration, providing funding for initiatives such as the Responsible Business Help Desk Hub in Pakistan.

This support reflects Germany’s recognition of Pakistan’s trade potential and its commitment to fostering economic growth through sustainable and responsible business practices.

Despite these positive developments, Dr Arretz acknowledged that Pakistan must enhance its investment climate to attract more foreign investors.

He noted that while German companies have established factories in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and China, Pakistan has yet to see substantial German-owned industrial investments.

He emphasized the need for a stable political and economic environment to facilitate long-term commitments.

“To attract more investment, Pakistan needs to create a more stable environment,” he said.

“At this stage, the focus should be on increasing trade volume and making Pakistan more attractive to buyers from Germany and other European Union countries. Once that foundation is in place, we can look at long-term investments.”

Dr Arretz also underscored the importance of Pakistan’s continued participation in the GSP+ trade program, which allows for tariff-free exports to the EU.

While acknowledging the concerns over Pakistan’s GSP+ status, he reassured that the German Importers Association remains committed to maximizing the benefits of preferential trade agreements.

“The GSP+ regime has proven successful for Pakistan, and we want to continue building on that success,” he stated.

“Germany and the European Union have a shared interest in making trade a win-win situation for both sides, and we want to contribute to that.”

Looking ahead, Dr Arretz expressed optimism about the future of trade between Germany and Pakistan, emphasizing the need for collaboration, quality improvements, and sustainable business practices.

He envisions a long-term partnership that will benefit both economies through increased trade and responsible investment, according to the press release.

“We are just at the beginning of what I believe will be a long and fruitful partnership,” Dr Arretz concluded.

“With collaboration, patience, and a shared vision for a greener, more sustainable future, we can achieve great things together.”