Inaugural Visit of H.E. Ambassador Dr. Mohammad Faisal to Munich

An exiting week lies behind us as the newly appointed ambassador to Berlin H.E. Ambassador Dr. Mohammad Faisal has completed his inaugural visit to Munich from July 27th to July 28th. 

We had the chance to meet high ranking economic decision makers as well as the honour to openly discuss the issues relating to Pakistan with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State Hubert Aiwanger.

Minister Hubert Aiwanger received His Excellency on July 27th at the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy to discuss opportunities to deepen and strengthen the Pakistani-Bavarian business relationships.

H.E. Ambassador Dr. Mohammad Faisal receiving a gift from Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State Hubert Aiwanger, with Honorary Consul Dr. Pantelis Christian Poetis at the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy © StMWi/E. Neureuther

The Minister was pleased to announce that every Bavarian entrepreneur, who is in a close relationship with Pakistani partners, reported to him in the most positive way, that Pakistani partners are especially reliable and trustworthy. Therefore the Ministry will wholeheartedly support all actions to deepen Bavarian and Pakistani relationships and is looking into possible proposals for investments in the Pakistani market in support of these objectives. As a special incentive Pakistan and Bavaria will try toinitiate an exchange program for dual training and studies.

H.E. offered that Pakistan would be happy to receive business delegations and suggested a visit to Punjab, to establish further business bonds between Bavaria, as strong economic hub for Germany, and Punjab as strong economic hub for Pakistan. Minister Aiwanger agreed fully and mentioned again the very successful business delegations to Pakistan in 2018 and 2019. According to the Minister, Bavaria is convinced that Pakistan is a fast growing market with a young and uprising population and an increasingly affluent middle class, which could develop into a large export market for Bavaria.

The corona crisis was of course a topic during this meeting. Minister Aiwanger was interested to hear how Pakistan is currently coping economically in fighting the pandemic and wether there was an economic depression the country had to fight simultaneously. H. E. was pleased to announce that the Smart Lockdown initiated by Prime Minister Khan was effective: the poorest had been supported monetarily, while bigger companies were able to return to a new normal. The small and medium seized businesses were struck the hardest and it will take some time to return to a new normal status for these businesses. The corona pandemic has so far led to the death of 5000 Pakistani citizens; a tragic loss for the country, but the Ambassador is convinced that Pakistan will be able to keep the casualties as low as possible with the smart lockdown system.

Energy politics were discussed by both parties intensively as H. E. informed Minister Aiwanger that Pakistan is changing its entire grid system to depend in future almost exclusively on renewable energy. The Ambassador further pointed out that Pakistan was willing to upgrade its grid infrastructure with products made in Germany and especially Bavaria.

This will mark the launching point for investments to come within the energy sector that could be introduced and arranged by the Honorary Consulate in Munich, which is ‟working very efficiently even in Your Excellency’s absence and representing Pakistan with dignity“ as Minister Aiwanger stated during the meeting. 

Following the meeting with Minister Aiwanger, His Excellency was received by Minister of State and Head of the State Chancellery Dr. Florian Hermann at the State Chancellery in the heart of Munich.

Minister of State Dr. Florian Herrmann, Head of State Chancellery, handing a gift to H.E. Ambassador Dr. Mohammad Faisal with Honorary Consul Dr. Pantelis Christian Poetis at the State Chancellery in Munich ©StkBay_Isemann

Minister Dr. Herrmann was pleased to hear from H.E. about the fruitful discussions with the Ministry of Economic affairs and assured his full support especially regarding the receiving of different business delegations from Pakistan.

Minister Dr. Herrmann expressed concerns regarding the situation between Pakistan and India. His Excellency assured the Minister that Prime Minister Imran Khan is doing everything in his power to normalise relations to India; a very difficult task due to the extreme right wing Indian government.

Both parties agreed that Pakistan and Germany should strengthen their political relationships further, as H.E. pointed out that a strong Europe will be more necessary than ever to stabilise the world and that Germany is considered to be the entry point to the European Union. The Ambassador expressed his hope that the European Union will be able to develop an independent identity and be more present in the world after Corona.

After strengthening the ties on a political level the visit went on to develop new business opportunities for Pakistan in Bavaria and vice versa.

At the Summer Fest of the Export Club Bayern at the Münchner Yachtclub wonderfully located in Starnberg, H.E. was invited to give a Keynote Speech to one hundred guests, all decision makers of medium sized and large Bavarian companies, amongst them Siemens Financial Services, BMW, and many more, regarding investment and business opportunities in Pakistan. Following the speech many talks spun off as the guests were highly interested in learning more details about Pakistan in general and the Pakistani market. H.R.H. Prince Luitpold of Bavaria expressed his interest in Pakistan and informed the Ambassador in detail about his latest visit during the delegation trip in 2018.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank Dr. Michael Kerkloh, President of the Export Club Bayern, for inviting the Ambassador to this wonderful and insightful event. A special thanks is to be directed at Prof. Dr. Dr. Gerrick Freiherr von Hoyningen-Huene, Chairman of Münchner Yachtclub, for receiving His Excellency and his team in this incredibly beautiful surrounding.

Honorary Consul Dr. Pantelis Christian Poetis, H.R.H. Prince Luitpold of Bavaria, H.E. Ambassador Dr. Mohammad Faisal and Dr. Michael Kerkloh, President of ECB at the Summer Fest of the Export Club Bayern at Münchner Yacht Club ©HonorarkonsulatPakistanMUC

His Excellency met with Munich Airport GmbH to discuss Joint Venture possibilities in the aviation sector. New CEO Jost Lammers, who worked for years within the Airport sector and who has a high understanding on the needs of smaller and less developed airports, received the Ambassador in person. The overall airport infrastructure was discussed particularly, and Mr. Lammers expressed high interest to support Pakistani airports in creating a successful business model, in regards to security, airline cooperation models, training of airport staff and last but not least through further revenue generation with appropriate offers within the airport premises such as shops and restaurants to name but a few.

Jost Lammers, CEO, Munich Airport International GmbH, H.E. Ambassador Dr. Mohammad Faisal, Dr. Ralf Gaffal, Managing Director, Munich Airport International GmbH, Honorary Consul Dr. Pantelis Christian Poetis, Dr. Michael Kerkloh, Simon Lotter, Director Asia Pacific, Munich Airport International GmbH at Munich Airport ©HonorarkonsulatPakistanMUC

Dr. Remplik, Medical Managing Director, and Dr. Stiess, Radiology Specialist, of Die Radiologietook the time to show the ambassador their highly equipped practice rooms in the heart of Munich and demonstrated the functionality of MRI’s and CT’s. Further their unique business model and specialisation was discussed, as well as the applicability of such ideas to the Pakistani market within the National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS). Both Doctors assured the Ambassador that they would happily join a team of Pakistani doctors for know-how transfer and teaching on the correct interpretation and diagnostic of medical imaging. A very insightful visit indeed as both sides may profit from the strengths of their counterparts.

Honorary Consul Dr. Pantelis Christian Poetis, H.E. Ambassador Dr. Mohammad Faisal, Dr. Philipp Remplik, Medical Managing Director, Die Radiologie and Dr. Hannes Stiess, Radiology Specialist, Die Radiologie at their offices in Munich ©HonorarkonsulatPakistanMUC

Dr. Uwe M. Michel, Executive Vice President of Alianz SE, welcomed the Ambassador in the premises of the company in beautiful Schwabing. Dr. Michel, a specialist for Pakistan as he personally set up the Allianz offices in the country, joined an in-depth discussion regarding investment opportunities and insurance possibilities and had many insightful ideas that may be researched and implemented within the Health for the Future project.

Honorary Consul Dr. Pantelis Christian Poetis, H.E. Ambassador Dr. Mohammad Faisal, Uwe M. Michel, Executive Vice President, Allianz SE and Rami Derbas, Business Division – Country Manager vor the MENA region, Allianz SE at Allianz offices in Munich ©HonorarkonsulatPakistanMUC

The building sites of Rohde & Schwarz were especially impressing as Dirk Dörrschuck, Vice President Middle East & Africa Region, gave His Excellency a short guided tour around the offices and development laboratories. The tour was followed by an extremely interesting presentation. The presentation was followed by a lively discussion of all participants and gave numerous new ideas to pursue in the future.

Dirk Dörrschuck, Vice President Middle East & Africa Region, Rohde & Schwarz International GmbH, welcoming H.E. Ambassador Dr. Mohammad Faisal and Honorary Consul Dr. Pantelis Christian Poetis at the Rohde & Schwarz offices in Munich ©HonorarkonsulatPakistanMUC

A completely new field was presented by Christian Landegger, Expert for Military and Police footwear of the Bavarian shoe manufacturer Haix Group. Mr. Landegger came from Mainburg to meet the Ambassador to Munich and was received by His Excellency and the Honorary Consul at the office of the Honorary Consulate. A very interesting introduction in the field of Firefighter, Army and Police boots followed as Haix is a worldwide specialist and equips, amongst others, special units of the French Army, the German GSG9, and the German military in its entirety.

Christian Landecker, Haix Group with H.E. Ambassador Dr. Mohammad Faisal and Honorary Consul Dr. Pantelis Christian Poetis at the Residence of the Honorary Consulate in Munich ©HonorarkonsulatPakistanMUC

Last but not least in order to enable the financing of projects in Pakistan, where appropriate, Dr. Peter Follak, CFO It’s a Deal outlined the financial structures, financial models and financing possibilities for the projects under consideration.

Penelope Poetis, COO POWRGROUP GmbH, Honorary Consul Dr. Pantelis Christian Poetis, H.E. Ambassador Dr. Mohammad Faisal, Dr. Klaus-Peter Follak, CFO, It’s A Deal GmbH and Philomena Poetis, CEO It’s A Deal GmbH, at the Residence of the Honorary Consulate in Munich ©HonorarkonsulatPakistanMUC

We would like to express our sincere thanks to each and every one of our highly esteemed interlocutors and in particular Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State Hubert Aiwanger, as well as Minister of State Dr. Hermann. Furthermore, their teams, who worked tirelessly to make the visit and the meeting of His Excellency a success. Our special thanks goes to the team of the Embassy of Pakistan in Berlin for their professional and harmonious cooperation.

For more pictures please head to our gallery!

Please stay healthy and safe!

Your Pakistan-Bayern Team

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