By Raza Khan ISLAMABAD, June 02 (INP-WealthPK): Pakistan has invited the European companies to invest in manufacturing, agriculture, dairy, water management, maritime and clean energy sectors, reports WealthPK. Federal Minister for Commerce and Investment Syed Naveed Qamar extended the invitation during his visit to various European countries including Belgium, France, Germany and the Netherlands. According to the commerce ministry, the minister met with key members of the European Parliament (MEPs), senior officials at the European Commission and the Secretary of State for the Brussels region during his visit to Belgium. In his engagement with members of the European Parliament and the Directorate General of Agriculture and Rural Development of the European Commission, the minister underscored that strong trade and investment cooperation was an important component of the Pak-EU partnership. Naveed Qamar highlighted that GSP plus was an excellent template and a success story of mutually beneficial cooperation, as Pakistan’s exports to the EU had grown 86% and EU’s exports to Pakistan 69% since the inception of the scheme in 2014. The minister stressed that Pakistan was keen to further deepen and broaden its multi-dimensional partnership with the EU, especially in the economic and trade domains. The European Parliament members agreed to work together in further strengthening Pakistan-EU relations, including enhanced parliamentary exchanges and economic cooperation. During his meeting with Pascal Smet, Secretary of State for the Brussels region, Qamar invited him to lead an economic mission to Pakistan to explore cooperation in areas of retail, chemicals, construction, telecommunications, energy and food industry. The minister said Belgium’s companies could enter into joint ventures with the Pakistani companies in various sectors. During his visit to France, Naveed Qamar met French Minister for Foreign Trade and Attractiveness Franck Riester. An official announcement said the commerce minister informed his French counterpart that Pakistan wished to strengthen and diversify bilateral trade and economic linkages in the years to come. Qamar emphasized that Pakistan’s strategic location, fast developing infrastructure and liberal investment policies of the government had made the country an attractive destination for foreign investors. He appreciated French support in securing the GSP Plus status in 2014 and hoped that the upcoming GSP Plus 2024 would further strengthen the mutually beneficial trade ties between Pakistan and the EU. He noted that Pakistan’s exports to France were dominated by the textile sector, and there was immense potential to diversify trade to other sectors such as agriculture, dairy, clean energy, the digital economy, and startups. The minister held meetings with the representatives of French businesses already working in Pakistan or interested in doing business with Pakistan in future. During his visit to Germany, Qamar met with Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr. Tobias Lindner. The two sides exchanged views on various aspects of bilateral relations, with special focus on enhancing trade and economic cooperation. The minister said Pakistan had a huge potential for German investors in various sectors including energy, construction, and agriculture. During his visit to the Netherlands, the minister held meetings with the GSP Plus stakeholders including the Dutch officials, businesses, trade bodies and civil society organizations. Qamar said the Netherlands was the second largest trade partner of Pakistan in the European Union and a key investor in various sectors of the country. According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Commerce, the minister emphasized that a strong trade and investment cooperation was an important component of Pakistan-Netherlands relations. The minister met with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Secretary General Paul Huijts and remarked that the Netherlands was an important trading partner and one of the largest investors in Pakistan. Qamar highlighted that under the GSP Plus, Pakistan’s exports to the Netherlands had increased 103% and the Netherlands exports to Pakistan grown 107%. The minister invited the Dutch companies to explore business opportunities in Pakistan in different sectors including agriculture, dairy, water management, maritime and clean energy. According to the commerce ministry, the European partners responded positively to the invitation of investment in Pakistan.