On 6 July 2023, the ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in Sofia, H.E. Mariam Madiha Aftab and Deputy Head of the Diplomatic Mission of the Embassy Omer Manzur Malik visited the Bulgarian Industrial Association and met with BIA’s Vice President Mariya Mincheva and the Director of the International Economic Relations Center Hristina Kasparian.
H.E. Mariam Madiha Aftab informed that 65% of Pakistan's population is under the age of 35 and the country ranks second among South Asian countries in terms of human resource exports in all spheres of the economy. Nearly 9 million Pakistani workers are already providing their valuable services in various countries around the world. At the end of November 2022, Pakistan and the EU have launched the "Dialogue on Migration and Mobility" initiative, the idea of which is to open new avenues for legal migration from Pakistan to EU countries. Romania, Greece, Hungary and Poland have already increased the import of Pakistani labor, therefore among the main priorities of H.E. Mariam Madiha Aftab is also for Bulgarian employers to learn about the opportunity and take advantage of it by using the services of registered Pakistani labor export companies. Detailed information about them is available on the website of the Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment of Pakistan.
In view of the BIA's long-standing efforts to ease the procedures for importing workers from countries outside the EU, the BIA's vice president Mariya Mincheva welcomed the initiative of H.E. Maryam Madiha Aftab and the efforts of the Pakistani state in the field of labor migration and labor mobility.
Among the topics discussed was the promotion of economic cooperation between Bulgaria and Pakistan. In 2022, trade between the two countries is 129.4 million dollars. The export of our country is 79 million dollars, and the import - 50.4 million dollars. Pakistan is an important partner for Bulgaria in the South Asian region. The Bulgarian-Pakistani Intergovernmental Commission for Economic Cooperation functions between the two countries, which is an essential tool for the development of economic relations between the two countries.
Both sides in the meeting were of the opinion that trade between Bulgaria and Pakistan needs encouraging measures, as there is long-standing cooperation between the two countries (diplomatic relations since 1965) and potential for development.
The possibilities for promoting Bulgarian investments in Pakistan were also commented on. The country is open to our investors in all spheres of the economy, especially in the field of solar energy. There are 27 economic zones in Pakistan, and investors are privileged to enjoy exemption from import duties on the means of production, as well as from income tax for 10 years for entrepreneurs and businesses in the zone. Additional benefits may be granted based on economic impact to promote high technology, IT or renewable energy.
BIA has committed to facilitate an online meeting between BIA’s members who are interested in importing labor or seeking to expand their investment potential in non-EU countries and experts from the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan for specific information and assistance.
