Matchmaking EU-Pakistan Renewables

The biggest milestone in the framework of this project was EU-Pakistan business encounter in Islamabad and Karachi between companies and stakeholders of the
renewable energy and power sector on June 30 - July 4, 2008.
Almost 70 Pakistani companies as well as the main stakeholders from policy, and energy & power sector, and nine RE companies from Estonia, France, Germany and Switzerland participated in this event. The related technologies were solar PV, solar thermal, wind energy and small hydro power.
The matchmaking event aroused a considerable interest of policy and media. Dr. Akhtar Awan, Member Energy, Planning Commission, government of Pakistan, assured the EU companies full support and assistance from Pakistan. He also underlined that the Pakistani government is fully committed to its policy of strengthening the private sector for sustainable economic growth.
During four days business to business meetings between the Pakistanis and the delegation of the European companies were held. Furthermore the opportunity of individual company visits was used to strengthen the initiated relationships between the Pakistani and European companies while these B2B meetings.
The first feedback of the EU companies showed very satisfying results of these matchmaking events. Promising business links between local and European companies were built up and mutual business cooperation was established. Several follow up contacts and participations in RE projects are expected.