Consul’s Corner
Dear Friends,
A number of steps have been taken to open and ease business access to Pakistan, which is highly welcomed by the foreign community in Pakistan and we hope to see further improvements in the future. These much-needed steps were taken during the first quarter, while the newest data show that the macroeconomic environment remains quite challenging.
In the last months, I had reached out to the interior of Sindh and Balochistan, including a first-hand insight into the rural areas.
Most impressive are the new developments in Tharparkar around the lignite projects. The first time use of domestic coal is likely to become a game-changer for the Pakistan economy and finances. It was impressive to see how state-of-the-art technology is being installed to transform a part of the largest desert in Pakistan into an important contributor to the national economy. German experts from RWE and others are part of this process, which is a reason to be proud of. What really impressed me even more, is the inclusive thinking ahead of the Pakistani consortium: a large number of new jobs for regional people, especially women, hitherto without employment, is one relevant aspect. But the social projects in the areas of education, water management, health and environment are not only impressive, but they are also the key to peace. The thoughtful inclusion of the local population, I am convinced, will be an excellent recipe for social peace and further integration.
Pakistan, and in particular Sindh, has a large potential to develop its renewable energy sector, as the country is blessed with alternate resources, e.g. wind corridors, sunshine around the year and immense amounts of coal reserves. I am pleased to note that Pakistan started looking closer into renewable energy options right in time. Modern energy infrastructure is the foundation of any sustainable economy. It can substitute imports of expensive fuels. With the worldwide depleting energy resources a country cannot survive long term without adding renewable energy into its energy mix.
I wish you all, including your families, a blessed and peaceful month of Ramadan
Yours sincerely,
Eugen Wollfarth
Consul General of Germany
Secretary General’s Corner
Dear Members and Friends,
German companies are reaching out to GPCCI with a view to capitalize on Pakistan’s investment landscape and the corporate presence of Germany in Pakistan will resultantly enhance. We are continuously interacting with interested organizations. This year has been especially important in networking and relationship building with relevant business entities both in Germany and Pakistan. Recently a delegation from the Lufthansa group visited GPCCI and held a discussion about business potential and indicating an interest in resuming operations to Pakistan, they met the board and industry-related members.
A significant event participated by GPCCI was the Zahoransky Seminar held in February, in which for the first time experts from Germany conducted 1 day seminar joined by customers from the oral care industry, household and cosmetic industry. GPCCI also actively participated in IGATEX the 12th International Garment, Textile Machinery Exhibition & Conference that proved to be an enriching experience for textile machinery manufacturers.
GPCCI was there in the 16th ITIF Asia 2019 – International Trade & Industrial Machinery Fair which comprised of 3 days exhibition scheduled from 20th-22nd March 2019 at Expo Centre – Karachi, Pakistan. The event was organized by our member company Ecommerce Gateway Pakistan (Pvt.) Ltd and was supported by the Government of Pakistan. Discussions were held with Pakistani companies representing German manufacturers at the fair.
Looking ahead we have a major textile event for the year where a delegation of textile machinery manufacturers from Germany is visiting Pakistan to partner and interact with Pakistani businesses in the Textile industry for their business enhancement. Details about this event are available in a dedicated section in this newsletter.
GPCCI would also like to focus on the Punjab region and as such hopeful of networking and meeting with Punjab member organizations much more regularly in the coming months.
GPCCI is endeavoring to be an effective portal for Pakistani and German companies to reach across to the other side to find business partners or new technologies or market their products in Germany and Pakistan. Germany is taking a keen interest in reliable partnerships with Pakistan today more than ever before; with this in mind, we plan to expand our current partnerships through improved networking efforts in both countries.
Regards,
Danesh Dinshaw
Secretary-General GPCCI
As Mr. Martin Kobler completes his successful tenure as the Ambassador of Germany to Pakistan, I would like to congratulate him and appreciate his efforts in promoting the bilateral ties between Germany and Pakistan. Certainly, he was the most popular ambassador among the Pakistanis at all levels due to his dedicated and sincere efforts demonstrated with dynamism. He was traveling all around mixing with common people. Everyone in Pakistan has felt his love and affection for this country. He presented Pakistan in Germany in a very positive way which has resulted in the promotion of bilateral relations in trade, culture, education and overall covering all sectors of bilateralism. He will surely be missed.
I wish him all the best in the future!
Qazi Sajid Ali
President GPCCI
German Technology Meets Pakistani Textile Industry
GPCCI has been commissioned by the German Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) to organize a B2B matchmaking event between German textile machinery manufacturers and Pakistani textile manufacturers. The visit of the German delegation to Karachi and Lahore is scheduled from 11th to 15th November 2019. These highly innovative and technologically-advanced German companies specialized in production technologies along the entire textile value chain from spinning, knitting, weaving, nonwovens and finishing are looking for Pakistani business partners, partners of cooperation and want to present their companies and products to a Pakistani audience, all under the brand “Made in Germany”.
The German delegation visiting Pakistan has been carefully selected by BMWi, our cooperation partner SBS systems for business solutions and the German Textile Machinery Association VDMA in order to represent the best of German technology, innovation and know-how. VDMA, Germany’s Mechanical Engineering Industry Association, represents over 3,200 mostly medium-sized companies in the capital goods industry. Under the umbrella of VDMA, there are about 130 textile machinery and components manufacturers affiliated with the Textile Machinery Association.
Textile entrepreneurs are welcome to inform themselves about the latest technology trends, processes and new textile applications. Automation, digitization, industry 4.0, sustainability to save energy and raw materials are more than buzzwords to increase production efficiency. In the end, all these technologies result in saving costs and freeing funds for other uses. German Technology – the investment always pays off.
Who will be part of the delegation?
German CEOs and export managers of each participating company
A government expert of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy
The head of the association VDMA, a renowned German association for mechanical engineering, more specifically for the field of textile machinery
Representatives of the German Embassy and German Consulate General
Honorary representatives, the secretary-general and project managers of the German-Pakistan Chamber of Commerce & Industry and the project consultants SBS systems for business solutions.
The first days in Karachi and in Lahore of the business development trip will be dedicated to presentation workshops, where the German delegation members will present their companies, products, technology and services and thereafter meet Pakistani companies and delegates of associations for one-on-one business meetings, networking and group discussion panels. For Pakistani participants, these days will provide excellent opportunities for awareness of new advanced technology and products from Germany. Participation for Pakistani participants is free of charge but subject to registration. For more details, please click here, send an email to info@gpcci.com.pk or call +92 (0) 300 202 4876.
First GPCCI-placed Senior Expert From SES for 2019 finishes his assignment in Memon Medical Institute Hospital
German SES expert Dr. Wolfgang Titius, the center of the first row, and members of MMI Hospital task force
Dr. Wolfgang Tititus, a medical doctor and senior expert of German Senior Expert Service (SES), finished his assignment in Memon Medical Institute Hospital. After several weeks of talks to staff and patients, observing and visiting all departments of the hospital he filed his report and presented it to the task force and executive board of MMI Hospital. His advice was highly appreciated and will result in several action plans to further improve the quality of hospital services. The request for more senior experts was also forwarded to GPCCI who as representative of SES in Pakistan placed Wolfgang Titius from Germany. More information on the placement of senior experts from Germany can be obtained from GPCCI.
Doing Business in Pakistan Event in Dubai
On 28th February 2019, the event, which was initiated by GPCCI and organized by AHK Dubai in collaboration with the German Embassy in Islamabad and the German Consulate General in Karachi, took place in Dubai. Keynote speakers were H.E. Haroon Sharif, Minister of State and Chairman of Pakistan Board of Investment and H. E. Martin Kobler, German Ambassador to Pakistan. They provided well-grounded insights into the country’s economic developments as well as information about business opportunities and challenges in Pakistan to more than 70 representatives of German companies based in Dubai.
First-Ever Pakistani Delegation’s Visit to Bosch’s Headquarters in Germany
In February 2019, Bosch Building Technologies welcomed a group of six consultants and two system integrators to its headquarters in Grasbrunn (Munich), Germany.
The first two days were dedicated to Fire Alarm Systems; the team was given a tour of the laboratories and the state-of-the-art Experience Center, showcasing different products and solutions. An extensive EN vs UL session was organized for the team since there are no regulatory authority guidelines in Pakistan when it comes to this matter; it was very beneficial for the team who saw great benefits in EN standards. An extensive EN vs UL session was organized for the team since there are no regulatory authority guidelines in Pakistan when it comes to this matter. The EN Standards take care of EMC and having more openness to accommodate other standards products to some level. The third, and last day, was assigned to Intrusion Systems and Public Address Systems. The consultants showed great interest in the B&G Series since they have a very diverse application such as gated communities, residential buildings, shopping malls, and others. Bosch Safety and Security systems are invented for saving people’s life and property.
The delegation was also offered real hands-on experiences during the training and was given a tour at the BMW Welt/Museum as well as the Olympic Tower to check Bosch’s installation of Security and Safety products.
Bosch really appreciated the chance to demonstrate that it assures not only best-in-class safety but also a pleasant and inspiring design as well as superior usability.
In 2015 Bosch has opened its Sales Liaison office in Lahore Pakistan to provide the Pakistan market with German and European Technologies which is reliable and improves the operations and efficiency plus products carrying various European, Germany and International standards and reliability.
For further information you can reach to Bosch Lahore office:
Contact Person : Naveed Minhas
Office Tel Number : +92 42 3606 6910
Mobile No. : +92 300 401 6668
Metro Pak celebrates success with business partners
Metro Pakistan celebrated its vision Your Success Is Our Business with its business partners by organizing one of the biggest Supplier Conferences in its 13 years of business in Pakistan. The conference was held in which Martin Kobler (Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Pakistan) was invited as chief guest and around 500 Metro suppliers were invited from all across Pakistan.
The theme of the conference was History Meets Future which also explained the purpose of the conference that was to celebrate the 13 years of history with business partners while also sharing future business plans because Metro strongly believes in building strong relationships to grow business and impacting the local economy.
ZAHORANSKY Seminar
More than 100 years ago, Black Forest-based ZAHORANSKY developed the first brush, drill, and tuft machine – and brought forth a new era in brush production. From these beginnings developed an internationally active full-range supplier in machine construction, injection molding, and automation technology. The company is present in 10 locations worldwide with 800 employees.
ZAHORANSKY Seminar at held at Hotel Avari Towers on the 4th of February 2019. For the first time experts from Germany conducted 1 day seminar at Hotel Avari towers in which many customers visited from the Oral Care industry, House Hold and Cosmetic Industry.
The event was found to be extremely interactive and informative for customers.
Mr. H.E. Eugen Wollfarth (Consul General of Germany) and Mr. Franz Nienhaus (Advisor to the GPCCI Board of Directors) also visited our Seminar and spoke to the participants and encouraged the organizers who conducted this event.
IGATEX Pakistan 2019 – Attracted quality trade visitors, closed billions of rupees deals
IGATEX Pakistan organized by FAKT Exhibitions (Pvt) Ltd. is one of the largest and well-established garments and textile machinery exhibitions in South Asia. The 12th edition of IGATEX Pakistan took place at Karachi Expo Centre from 26th – 28th February 2019. GPCCI also participated and had its stall which attracted visitors from Germany and Pakistan.
Located at the crossroads of Asia, Pakistan has become a focal point for investors in the region and has gained recognition as an important market among other textile manufacturing countries of the region. Pakistan is the 8th largest exporter of textile products in Asia. This sector contributes around 8.5% to the GDP and provides employment to about 40% of the 49 million workforces of the country. Pakistan is the 4th largest producer of cotton with the 3rd largest spinning capacity in Asia after China and India and contributes 5% to the global spinning capacity.
The 12th edition of IGATEX Pakistan: A three-day exhibition in Karachi provided the garment and textile machinery manufacturers an opportunity to offer their technological solutions to potential buyers and decision-makers in a competitive global business environment.
The exhibition was inaugurated by Mr. Mirza Ikhtiar Baig with all the stakeholders of the textile industry. This year IGATEX Pakistan was greater in scale than previous editions as it took place at a time when people were eager to find new investment opportunities in Pakistan’s textile industry.
Mr. Saleem Khan Tanoli, C.E.O of FAKT Exhibitions at the inauguration ceremony said, “The mega exhibition IGATEX Pakistan aims to forge business relationships with the goal to find new investment opportunities bringing development and progress in the textile industry of Pakistan.”
IGATEX Pakistan 2019 opened its doors to more than 20,000 trade visitors, which met with the representatives of more than 500 textile companies, offering state of the art equipment and solutions. International exhibitors showcased their cutting edge technology and developments in the industry. The trade visitors at the exhibition were the key decision-makers from Pakistan’s textile industry.
More than 116 companies from China followed by 80 companies from Italy, 75 from Germany, 25 each from Japan and Switzerland exhibited at IGATEX Pakistan 2019. Other countries included France, Belgium, Austria, Korea, UK, the USA, Brazil, and Thailand to name a few. The Department of Commerce of Zhejiang province in China had a pavilion for its top-notch companies to showcase machinery in textile finishing, nonwovens, spinning and garment technologies.
The German companies exhibiting at IGATEX Pakistan 2019 were: Andritz Kuesters GmbH, Brueckner Trockentechnik GmbH & Co. KG, Christian Maier GmbH & Co. KG, Hansa Industrie-Mixer GmbH & Co. KG, H. Stoll AG & Co. KG, Groz-Beckert Carding, LEGROM GmbH, Mahlo GmbH + Co. KG, Monforts Textilmaschinen GmbH & Co. Kg, Oerlikon Barmag/ Oerlikon Neumag, Paul Heller, Saurer Components GmbH, Schaeffler Group (FAG & INA), Thies GmbH & Co. KG, Truetzschler GmbH & Co. KG, Truetzschler Non-Woven, Walter Uhl, Weitmann & Konrad GmbH & Co. KG (Weko), ZSK Stickmaschinen GmbH, Kaeser Kompressoren and many more.
At the closing ceremony, Mr. Tanoli with great enthusiasm stated, “My expectations were very high and so far we have achieved our expectations. We have exhibitors from all over the globe. Behind the success of IGATEX Pakistan is our untiring efforts, hard work and professionalism. We always bring top-notch companies and provide them with the best platform, keeping our standards very high, thus our exhibitors have faith in us.” He, concluded by announcing that next year IGATEX Pakistan will be held at Expo Centre Lahore from 11th – 14th March 2020 and we look forward to welcoming our valued exhibitors and trade visitors.
Introduction of Siemens Industry Software (SISW) In Pakistan Market
Rastek Technologies has entered into a `Reseller Agreement’ and has been appointed as “Reseller” by Siemens Industry Software Pvt Ltd. whose principal office is located in Singapore.
Siemens is an engineering company with over 24,000 developers of digital innovation technology. The value that is derived from their technology is a direct result of a close working partnership that they have with their customers, partners and the many students that graduate each year from major universities around the world.
Siemens PLM Software helps companies of all sizes around the world to transform their business and develop innovative products and services. The customers are better equipped to respond successfully to the challenges of digitalization. Siemens solutions optimize their processes from planning and development through manufacturing and lifecycle support to realize innovation.
By working together in a collaborative environment with SIEMENS, Rastek aims to bring products that address the needs of the market today and provide a technology foundation that can enable companies to transform to meet the demands of the future.
Rastek Technologies is an exclusive distributor of M/s. Mentor Graphics, now A Siemens business, Rastek will be in a better position to market M/s. Siemens with M/s. Mentor Graphics software as it is capable to provide better software solutions to industries & academia in Pakistan.