The Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia, Dr Drago Stambuk, emphasized the need for a stronger trade relationship between Croatia and Pakistan, acknowledging that the existing trade exchange is not robust enough to be a point of pride. Dr. Stambuk shared these sentiments during a meeting held at the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), where he expressed the Croatian Embassy’s commitment to actively working towards strengthening these economic ties.
One of the ambassador’s key objectives is to bridge the business communities of both countries. To achieve this, he disclosed plans to arrange political and economic consultations, fostering an environment conducive to enhancing bilateral trade. Noteworthy is the recent appointment of Mirza Imran Baig as the Honorary Consul General of Croatia in Karachi, which Dr. Stambuk views as an extension of the Croatian Embassy’s outreach.
A major hurdle identified in the pursuit of stronger economic relations is visa delays. Dr. Stambuk assured that the embassy is diligently working to address this issue, recognizing its significant impact on trade activities. Streamlining visa processes is deemed essential to facilitating smoother business interactions between Croatia and Pakistan.
Highlighting Croatia’s strategic geopolitical location within the Eurozone, Dr. Stambuk emphasized the nation’s extensive ports and railway networks. Plans are already underway to position Croatia as a central hub for both Central and South-Eastern Europe. Despite these ambitions, demographic challenges loom over Croatia, with an aging population and a need for skilled and young individuals. In light of this, the ambassador extended an invitation for more Pakistanis to explore opportunities in Croatia, particularly in the tourism sector.
The Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) President, Iftikhar Ahmed Sheikh, proposed a pragmatic solution to overcome the visa-related obstacles. He suggested empowering the Croatian Honorary Consul General in Karachi to issue visas for Pakistani businesses based on the recommendations of the KCCI. This proposal aims to expedite the visa issuance process and facilitate business ventures between the two nations.
In his address, Ambassador Dr. Stambuk articulated his commitment to elevating the economic collaboration between Croatia and Pakistan. As the wheels of diplomacy and business initiatives turn, both nations are hopeful for a future marked by strengthened ties, increased trade activities, and shared prosperity.
