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business & diplomacy

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New Year,
New Luck
Interview with Consul General Gavito
and Consul Dr. Poetis

AFRIKA WIRTSCHAFT JAPAN RESIDENZEN AUTOMOBIL

Interview mit Bundesregierung Botschafter Zu Gast beim Interview:

Gnter Nooke, hilft deutschen Takeshi Yagi Botschafter Warum setzt
Afrikabeauftragter Unternehmen bei ber sein Land des Knigreichs Volkswagen
der Kanzlerin Groprojekten als CeBIT-Partner Marokko auf e-mobility?
 ENGLISH

Dr Pantelis Poetis,
Honorary Consul
of Pakistan, and
Jennifer D. Gavito,
US Consul General

New Year,
THE LAST YEAR HAS BEEN VERY
EXCITING FOR THE WHOLE WORLD,
ESPECIALLY FOR AMERICAN CITI-

new Luck?
The year 2017 has begun with excitement, sus-
pense and high inquisitiveness. January is the
month of ambition and perseverance. Both are
characteristics that Americas new President, Mr
Donald Trump, showed during the nerve-racking
elections. New Year, new Luck?
On the 19th of January 2017, Mrs Jennifer Gavito, US Consul General
and Dr Pantelis Christian Poetis, Honorary Consul of Pakistan, came
together for an interview at the US consulate in snowy Munich to
not only talk about the above stated historic event, but also about
the current political situation as well as the economic bonds bet-
ween the US, Germany and Pakistan. Eagerly and full of curiosity
both, Mrs Gavito and Dr Poetis, talked about the consequences the
new government will wield on Germanys, Pakistans and Americas Interview
economy and policy, about bonds to China and Russia and exciting
investment opportunities as well as humanitarian projects.
ZENS. THIS WAS DUE TO THE NERVE-
RACKING ELECTION PROCESS THAT
AMERICA EXPERIENCED. DONALD
TRUMP, AGAINST SOME EXPECTA-
TION WON THE ELECTION WHICH
LEADS ME TO MY FIRST QUESTION
WHICH IS HOW BOTH OF YOU SEE THE
CURRENT SITUATION BETWEEN PAKI-
STAN AND THE US UNDER THE NEW
GOVERNMENT?
Poetis: The positive relationship bet-
ween the US and Pakistan is one of long
standing which will endure. Both coun-
tries are fully committed to combating
terrorism and it is likely that common ef-
forts to do so will intensify, not diminish.
Mr. Tump is an experienced and suc-
cessful businessman and many of his
cabinet nominees are experienced in
foreign trade. His administration is
likely to continue promoting commer-
cial efforts that support the economies
of trusted partners in the war on ter-
by Adnan Haider rorism. Time will tell as to the manner
and Josine Smid and volume of support, but is clear that

10 | BUSINESS & DIPLOMACY 04/2016


Pakistans successful efforts to reduce
corruption will make the country more
attractive to foreign direct investment.
The proof is in the numbers: Pakistans
stock market is currently rated number
one in Asia; the countrys GDP growth
is 7th in a recent Economist ranking.
Gavito: President Trump has signed
his intent to have a strong personal and
working relationship with Pakistani Pri-
me Minister Sharif. Our relationship
with Pakistan has reciprocal benefits for
both countries, including directly bene-
fiting Americans by creating 9,200 jobs
through U.S. exports of $1.8 billion in
2015, according to the U.S. Depart-
ment of Commerce; supporting private
investment in financially sound, clean
energy projects in Pakistan through the
U.S.-Pakistan Clean Energy Partner-
ship; and the 96 research projects in
various scientific fields that both coun-
tries have financed since 2005 through
the U.S.-Pakistan Science and Techno-
logy Agreement.
From left: Murad Mehmood, Business Attach, Dr. Pantelis Poetis, Honorary Consul of Pakistan, Jennifer Gavito, US Consul General, Anthony Miranda,
Consul Public Affairs and Josine Smid, Interviewer
MR TRUMP SAID INDIA IS THE CHECK
TO PAKISTAN; YOU HAVE TO GET IN-
DIA INVOLVED. BOTH ARE NUCLEAR
NEIGHBOURS WITH A COMBINED PO-
PULATION OF MORE THAN 1.5 BILLI-
ON PEOPLE. WOULD A CLOSE INDIA-
USA RELATIONSHIP BE TO PAKISTANS
BENEFIT OR TO ITS DETRIMENT AND
WHAT WILL BE THE EXPECTATIONS OF
PAKISTAN FROM THE NEWLY ELEC-
TED GOVERNMENT?
Gavito: The United States endeavours
to have close relations with all the coun-
tries of South Asia. India and Pakistan
stand to benefit from practical coopera-
tion. Closer regional ties can create jobs,
lower inflation, increase energy supply,
and ultimately help people in both coun-
tries. Nuclear capable states have the
responsibility to exercise restraint regar-
ding nuclear weapons and missile capa-
bilities. We encourage efforts to promote
confidence building and stability. As for
Pakistans expectations from the Trump
Administration, that is a question for the
Pakistani government.
AUSSENPOLITIK
Poetis: The more US businesses are
involved in the area, the more they will
understand the potential of the entire
South Asian sub-continent. It is reasona-
ble to hope that the USAs involvement
will lead to a rapprochement between all
countries in the area. The sheer weight of
numbers, which testify to the importance
of the subcontinent, make clear that the-
re is a common asset: the industrious and
indefatigable nature of millions of people
who have very much in common.
HISTORICALLY PAKISTAN IS AN ALLY
OF THE U.S BUT IN CURRENT SCENA-
RIOS PAKISTAN FORGED CLOSER TIES
WITH RUSSIA AND CHINA. HOW DO
YOU SEE THESE CHANGING GEO-STRA-
TEGIC RELATIONS IN SOUTH ASIA?
Poetis: Im a businessman, not a politi-
cian. Pakistan will remain a business ally
of the USA despite changes in Pakistans
relationship with Russia and China. Cal-
vin Coolidge once said, that the busi-
ness of America is business. Thats not
to imply that the US is only interested
BUSINESS & DIPLOMACY 04/2016 | 11
in making money, but I use the quote
to point out that Chinas business is
primarily China and Russias business
is self-assertion. The US will continue
to invest in Pakistan because its simply
good, solid business.
None the less, Chinas contribution to
Pakistans welfare is inestimable. The
$52 billion China intends to invest in
Pakistan will bring prosperity to Pa-
kistan. The money will also bring so-
mething much more important: the key
to peace in the entire region.
Gavito: Being an ally of the United Sta-
tes always includes the option of close
ties with other countries, whether that
is China, Russia, or India for that mat-
ter. Deepening trade and economic ties
around the worldand helping others
do the sameenables countries to pro-
mote essential economic reforms, build
international norms in accordance with
democratic values, and fosters coopera-
tion among nations to address shared
global challenges.
12 | BUSINESS & DIPLOMACY 04/2016
LINKING TO YOUR POINT HERE DR.
POETIS. HOW CAN GERMANY AND
THE U.S BENEFIT FROM CPEC AND
THE NEW SILK ROUTE?
Poetis: Anything and everything which
brings prosperity and holds a key to
peace is good for everyone, including of
course the US and Germany. Perhaps
even more so than most other countries:
both are heavily dependent on global
trade and the Asian subcontinent repre-
sents the potential jewel in their busi-
ness crown.
The improvements in Pakistans infra-
structure made possible by Chinas in-
vestment remove the main obstacle to
foreign direct investment in Pakistan.
P&G, a major American global player, is
investing in a giant processing plant near
the port at the beginning of the route to
China. The plant will process the oil by-
products used to make detergents and
washing products. P&G intends to enable
countless millions of Chinese workers to
wash the clothes they dirtied building the
new silk route. Thats how business works.
AS YOU SAID, IN THE PAST IT MAY
NOT HAVE BEEN TOO ATTRACTIVE
FOR GERMAN INVESTORS TO INVEST
IN PAKISTAN. ALTHOUGH CHANGES
DID OCCUR, WHAT CAN PAKISTAN DO
TO MAKE IT ATTRACTIVE FOR EURO-
PEAN INVESTMENTS AND WHICH SEC-
TORS DO YOU SUGGEST FOR GERMAN
INVESTORS TO INVEST IN?
Poetis: Germany is the third largest
economy of the world and the biggest in
Europe. The EU gave Pakistan GSP plus
status to support the Pakistani economy.
Pakistans government gave incentives,
tax relaxation and introduced new laws
such as the new auto policy and the SEZ
act to attract foreign investments butPa-
kistan still faces challenges. The main
problem faced by these businesses is that
they have no network in Pakistan, that
is why we introduced G.A.T.E. to Paki-
stan, an organization which narrows the
gap between the businesses of the two
countries and provides expertise in net-
working and marketing and facilitates all
matters of business.We need to do much
more of the same.
 From left: Murad Mehmood, Business Attach Pakistani Honorary Consulate,
Anthony Miranda, Consul Public Affairs, Jennifer Gavito, US Consul General,
Dr. Pantelis Poetis, Honorary Consul of Pakistan and Josine Smid, Interviewer
| Jennifer Gavito and Honorary Consul Dr. Poetis in the US consulate in Munich

PRESIDENT ELECT TRUMPS NOMI-
NEE FOR SECRETARY OF STATE, MR.
REX TILLERSON, THE FORMER CEO
OF EXXON, HAS NO POLITICAL OR DI-
PLOMATIC EXPERIENCE. HIS RECENT
TESTIMONY TO THE SENATE CONFIR-
MATION COMMITTEE SHOWED A LACK
OF UNDERSTANDING OF GLOBAL
DYNAMICS. A FOREIGN AFFAIRS EX-
PERT WHO ASKED NOT TO BE NAMED
SAID, HE WAS NOT WELL PREPARED.
TRANSITIONS ARE MESSY, BUT THIS
WAS ESPECIALLY CHAOTIC. HOW IS
THE WORLDS VIEW OF AMERICA CO-
LORED BY THE PERFORMANCE OF
THE US SECRETARY OF STATE?
Poetis: I fully expect that America will
continue to be seen much the same as
under the outgoing Secretary of State:
by and large positive. Whats needed
in Pakistan will also follow the French
saying: plus cest la mme chose. Things
will change, but the basic needs remain
largely unfulfilled. We need to invigora-
te Germanys investment program and
do everything in our power to enlarge
Pakistans part of the discussions held
not only in Davos but also in all other
venues at which economic development
is discussed such as the Munich Security
Conference.
Since the year 2009 Pakistan also par-
ticipated in the Economy Talks on the
occasion of the Munich Security Con-
ference. Pakistans prosperity is only
achievable through global networking
and other efforts, which cause disparate
interests to focus on Pakistan. My wifes
child clinic effort in Pakistan is a prime
example of such efforts.
Gavito: Your characterization of Mr.
Tillersons experience and Senate con-
firmation testimony doesnt take into
account his 41 years of experience wor- Mrs Gavito and Dr Poetis are going to
king inand eventually runninga continue working together for a bright
multibillion-dollar enterprise that has future of America, Germany and Pakis-
successfully negotiated decades-long ag- tan with main focus on the free State of
reements all around the world, from Ni- Bavaria which has developed enormous-
geria to Qatar, to, yes, even Russia. You ly both economically and politically and
can only accomplish that if you indeed over the past few years has become an
have a great deal of political or diploma- international contact point for meetings
tic experience. and congresses of world leaders.

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