Leader of five-member Swiss delegation George Staiger has urged upon Pakistan to improve its perception in the West because it was a great hindrance in maintaining trade relationship with Western community. He made this observation at a meeting with industrialists and manufacturers of different industrial sectors at PIE's central office, disclosed a Punjab Industrial Estate Development and Management Company (PIE)'s spokesman here on Wednesday. The meeting was presided over by Chairman PIE Mohsin Syed.
The visiting leader said that the project of Sundar Industrial Estate (SIE) has changed his approach altogether towards Pakistan because it was attractive, planned with great vision and very productive from investors point of view. He remarked that this project has a vast potential to increase country's gross domestic product (GDP) as well.
He said that there was a lot of scope for business communities of both the countries to enter into joint ventures in different sectors of economy.
"However, the situation on northern borders prevented them in the past, thus the business community and politicians should work hard to change this perception in order to invite more and more investment from all over the world to Pakistan. I was in Pakistan for last three days and found Pakistan a wonderful country and a good place for investment," he added.
According to him, though this was not an official delegation of the Swiss government, but their mission was to create link between the business community of both the countries and sole objective was to enhance business opportunities. He also appreciated the economic development took place in the country during last three years.
Earlier the Chairman PIE informed the delegates that there were some unscrupulous elements in the business community indulged in malpractice. However PIE could help the Swiss businessman to establish contacts with good quality business houses in Pakistan that would provide them with quality product year and year out.
Mohsin Syed made a presentation about the activities of Punjab industrial estates. He stated that more than 300 industrial units were expected to be set up in next few months. He hoped that an investment from local investors and experts Pakistanis would reach a level of Rs 20 billion during first phase.