The Consul General (CG) of Switzerland, Martin Bienz has said that Switzerland would like to expand its trade relations with Pakistan and offer facilities to Pakistani businessmen.
Speaking in a meeting of Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (Kati) on Thursday, he said that his country had a strong economy and Pakistan could benefit from its experience.
Bienz said that the Swiss businessmen are exploring possibilities of Business Avenue in Pakistan. At present, he said, the Swiss investors' top the list of investors in Pakistan. 'We have Pak-Swiss friendship and the Swiss business consul forums are functioning for promoting business in Pakistan', he added.
To a question he said that his country was willing to invest heavily in Pakistan in Banking and Finance Sector besides Energy Sector. The total Swiss export for January-December 2007, were 206,008.8 million Swiss Franc arid export to Pakistan was to the tune of 330.04 million Swiss Franc in the same period, he added.
On another query he said his office intended to give full support for visas to businessmen recommended by the Kati. The Swiss Consul General also appreciated the efforts of the Pakistan government for its efforts to curb terrorist activities.
The Chairman, Kati, Shaikh Fazl-e-Jalil said in his welcome speech said that Korangi Industrial Area was one of the largest industrial zones of Pakistan, it was spread over an area of 8,500 acres of land and houses more than 4500 industrial, commercial and service units. As per fair estimates, it contributes around Rs 270-million per day (USD-4.4 million) revenue to the national exchequer.
The majority of industries located in the KIA were export oriented and hence earn a great deal of foreign exchange besides providing jobs to hundreds of thousands workforce in industries like oil refineries, lubricating oil blending plants, tanneries, leather and leather garment factories, textiles, garments, silk and towel factories etc. There are more than 370 textile industries in KIA and its adjacent areas and they contribute seven percent of the total textile exports from Pakistan.
Further, he said that Pakistan had a great potential for investments in energy sector therefore Swiss businessmen should come forward and invest in the sector. The Kati Chairman further said 'Pakistan is an agro-based country and our agro-products like rice, wheat. vegetables, fruits, tobacco and raw cotton would be very attractive for Swiss markets'.
There should be a long lasting trade-tie between both the governments in order to improve the bilateral trade, he suggested. Further, Jalil recommended that bilateral track visas should be given to businessmen on the recommendation of Kati for improved business relations. The Chairman Standing Committee, Kati for Diplomats Affairs, Shaikh Muhammad Yousuf also addressed the occasion.-PR