Italy eyes trade opportunities in non-textile sectors

KARACHI, March 16: Italian businesses are exploring trade opportunities in Pakistan to expand the bilateral economic relationship beyond the traditional textile sector. Currently, around 90 percent of Pakistan’s exports to Italy consist of textile and leather products, while imports from the European nation are mainly machinery and equipment.
“We want to tap other sectors as well,” David Doninotti, secretary general at the Italian Association of Foreign Trade, representing 700 firms from Italy, told in an interview at a dinner hosted by Executive Counsel Abdul Sattar, of Sattar & Sattar Legal Counsels at a local hotel.
Doninotti, further said that “(For example), tons of fruits are wasted in Pakistan because of the post-harvest losses. We want to transfer technology for fruits pulp extraction,” said Doninotti, who is one of the members of the delegation on a visit to Pakistan. He said trade balance is in favour of Pakistan and “we want to reduce our trade deficit.”
Pakistan exports to Italy amounted to $733 million during the last fiscal year, while imports stood at $347 million. General Manager Roberto Vavala at Fres-Co Packaging System said a large quantity of fruits is wasted because of packaging defects.
“Pakistan’s market is virgin. (But), it has a tremendous potential and we can help,” said Vavala, whose company is providing material engineering solutions in China, India, USA and Europe. Managing Director (Asia Pacific and Middle East) Federico Cellini at Italmec Group of Companies said Pakistan’s industrial material handling is backwards. He named automobile, pharmaceutical, fast moving consumer goods and chemical sectors which could avail the technologies to improve material handling. “We know the size of our business in Pakistan will be very small, but in the end it will grow 10 to 20 percent,” Cellini added. “(So), it’s gamble, but a calculated gamble.” – DNA