Emilian Ion, Ambassador of Romania who is also Dean of the European Union said that the historical relation between Pakistan and Romania established in 1964 required more concentrated efforts to work together at all levels and promote consolidate bilateral cooperation in the political, economic, trade and cultural areas. To enhance and strengthen relations between Pakistan and Romania, the ambassador enlightened that there was still room to build cooperation between both the countries.

Pakistani products are very popular in the European market but still there is great potential to increase the volume. Ion is optimistic towards strengthening bilateral trade relations between two countries and also highly interested in developing Pakistan’s textile industry.

The trade volume between Pakistan and Romania had increased from $50 million to $300 million per year but there is a still room to enhance it .

Pakistan-Romania Friendship Association (PRFA) is wholeheartedly working to cement relations and explore more areas to work. The Dean of EU diplomats believed that there were around 700 Pakistani investors, who were deepening their profitable business ventures in Romania.

The Pakistani local business community could export their products especially textiles, garments, leather articles, sports goods, pharmaceutical products, rice and surgical instruments to Romania. Presently, Romania imports cotton, leather, garments, fruits and bed sheets from Pakistan; whereas Pakistan imports white timber, wood furniture, chemicals, cereals, flowers, canola seeds.

Romania and Pakistan have a huge background in economic relations which this trade friendship can fill. Emilian said that he was working on a link between the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) and Federal Chamber of Romania and this dream would come true soon. Pakistani products like textile, leather, and mangos are very popular in the EU market as well as in Bucharest (Capital), through Romania.

Emilian mentioned that during his stay in Pakistan he was to enhance friendly relations between the business communities of both the countries to explore all opportunities.

Romania being a member state of the EU could open gates to Pakistan for trade. Pakistani and Romanian business communities should take advantage of the huge opportunities offered by the two economies, the representative of the seventh largest EU market underlined.

The Ambassador of Romania is also working on multi-dimensional areas: Romania is a strategic partner of Pakistan, making its target to get the maximum from any opportunity they get their hands on.

Ion has opened the doors of Romania for Pakistan and now it’s the only country which has four honorary consulates in Pakistan. The Ambassador proposed that the youth of both the countries should also be connected as youth delegations could be helpful in identifying more areas of cooperation to move forward.

Both countries are exploring more avenues of cooperation in diversified fields. By organizing joint cultural shows and frequent exchange of business delegations were the options which could be used to exploit untapped bilateral trade and investment potential in both the countries.