Page 26 - TEXtalks September/October 2021

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“Germany has been an important
investor in Pakistan and there are
Cover Story opportunities to further enhance trade
and promote relations in the areas of
textile, renewable energy, Information
Technology, housing, electric
vehicles etc. Both countries have
planned a number of activities to
celebrate seventy years of the
establishment of diplomatic relations
this year. Bilaterally, we deeply value
our longstanding relations with
Germany, now in our 70th year of
friendship. We will soon inaugurate
the Consulate General of Pakistan in
German Review Iqbal-Goethe Center in Heidelberg.”
Munich and are working to establish
Shah Mahmood Qureshi. Foreign
Minister of Pakistan
This year on 15 Oct 2021, Pakistan and Germany are trading partner of Pakistan. In the fiscal year 2019-20,
celebrating their 70th friendship anniversary. the bilateral trade between the two countries stood at
Historical linkages strengthen Pakistan's relations with US$ 2.25 billion. Germany exported textile machines
Germany. Pakistan and Germany have enjoyed warm, and other items worth US$ 949 million to Pakistan.
friendly relations since the establishment of their Pakistan's main imports from Germany are chemical
diplomatic ties in 1951. Pakistan was one of the first products, textile machinery, electrical goods, motor
Asian countries to establish relations with the Federal vehicles, and iron goods. At the same time, Pakistan
Republic of Germany (West Germany). These exported textile goods worth US$ 1.30 billion to
relations are based on democracy, pluralism, respect Germany. Germany is a good market for Pakistani
for human rights, cultural and religious diversity, and textile products, especially readymade garments, bed
economic liberalism. Since its inception in 1951, wear cotton fabrics, and knitwear. The main items of
Pakistan-Germany relations have been on an upward exports included cotton fabrics, towels, synthetic
trajectory. In 1959, the two countries signed the textiles, carpet and rugs, cotton yarn, bed wear,
world's first bilateral investment treaty. The two cotton bags, and other made-up textiles, besides
countries also entered into financial cooperation in textile and clothing articles.
1961 as West Germany became a member of the
consortium of countries providing development The German Embassy in Pakistan has launched a
assistance to Pakistan. In 1962, the two sides unique logo to mark the friendship and establishment
established a Pakistan-German Forum. of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and
Germany. The German Ambassador in Pakistan,
Within European Union, Germany is the largest Bernhard Schlagheck, unveiled the logo and said,
September/October 2021
27
“The Islamic Republic of Pakistan and
the Federal Republic of Germany were
founded within two years of one another, Cover Story
Pakistan in 1947 and Germany (at least
the dispensation, we all know about, the
Federal Republic of Germany) in 1949,
both more than 70 years ago. And both
these foundations occurred under
exceptionally difficult circumstances.
The major reason for this was the fact
that both states were born under
extreme duress. The Trade volume
between Germany and Pakistan
hovering around 3 billion per year
(before the Pandemic) is the biggest
within the EU. The interesting fact is –
it’s very rarely the case with Germany-
His Excellency Bernhard German Review
that Pakistan even has a trade surplus.”
Schlagheck. Ambassador of
Federal Republic of Germany to
Pakistan
"Germany and Pakistan friendship turns 70 this year! PhDs are now bringing expertise to teaching and
On 15 Oct 1951, we established diplomatic relations. research across various universities in Pakistan,
To celebrate this milestone, we will organize several enriching the educational environment of Pakistan
events in the coming months. The German Embassy and bringing diversity to university life in Germany.
in Islamabad and the German Consulate General in
Karachi and German cultural organisations,
stakeholders from the development cooperation
sector, and representatives of German businesses in
Pakistan are planning to organize a series of events
this autumn to celebrate this bilateral anniversary. The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale
Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH has been working in
Another aspect of the Pak-German relationship is the Pakistan since 1963 and has maintained a country
keen interest of Pakistani students in German office in the capital, Islamabad since 1990. GIZ
institutions for higher studies. Currently, more than Pakistan is one of the most active firms working on
5,000 Pakistani students are studying in various the betterment of the textile sector in the country. In
educational institutions throughout Germany. Since the textile sector, GIZ supports the Pakistani
2004, the cooperation between the Higher Education Government in ensuring labor and environmental
Commission of Pakistan (HEC) and the German standards are upheld. GIZ has recently announced
Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) has translated an electrifying campaign to synergize the economic,
into more than 300 young Pakistani academics ecological, and social dimensions of sustainability in
gaining doctorates at German universities. These Pakistan.
September/October 2021