site.btaPakistan Proposes Creation of Commerce Incubator in Bourgas

Pakistan Proposes
Creation of Commerce
Incubator in Bourgas


Sofia, January 23 (BTA) - Economy Minister Bozhidar Loukarski
and Pakistani Ambassador Muhammad Jamshaid Iftikhar have
discussed at a Thursday meeting the creation of a commerce
incubator in the coastal city of Bourgas, which will serve all
of Europe, the Economy Ministry said in a press release.

The idea behind the incubator is to take advantage of Bulgaria's
favourable geographic location, being the closest EU Member
State to Pakistan via land, and to increase trade between
Pakistan and Europe.

Ambassador Iftikhar noted that among the advantages, for which
Bulgaria was chosen for the project's implementation, are the
lower operational costs, the presence of qualified workers and
the access to various logistics channels.

Minister Loukarski expressed readiness to provide the necessary
institutional support for the project's implementation. He noted
that similar initiatives would help increase trade between the
two countries. Bilateral trade currently stands at 39 million
dollars, compared to 20 million just two years ago, the Ministry
said.

The two also discussed Pakistan's plans to build a land
transport connection to Bulgaria, which will provide a direct
bridge with China. According to the Ambassador, such a project
would optimize logistics not only for Pakistani goods, but for
other Asian markets. A railway connection, for example, would
cut delivery times by at least a half, the press release said.
PK/MY

/МЙ/