Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani said that Pakistan considers Sweden as an important partner bilaterally as well as in the context of EU and the Nordic region. An institutional arrangement in the shape of a Pakistan-Nordic Economic Co-operation Forum, he mentioned, could greatly facilitate to establish close linkage between the Scandinavian countries and Pakistan.
Gilani was talking to Ewa Bjoring, Swedish Minister for Trade who called on him here on Monday. She is currently leading a delegation to Pakistan to look into opportunities to further boost economic ties with Pakistan. She would be inaugurating the new Tetrapak Plant near Kasur with an investment of Euro 123million. The Prime Minister proposed that the Board of Investment (BoI) could send a delegation to the Nordic countries to apprise the investors about the prospects and possibilities of joint ventures in different fields.
These initiatives, he expressed confidence, would give a new impetus to the business and trade relations. The Prime Minister appreciated Sweden's support to Pakistan for greater market access in EU for Pakistani goods. Pakistan, he said, is looking forward to continuous support from Sweden in attaining the FTA status in future. Pakistan he added, can serve as a regional hub for trade and leading European and Swedish multinationals need to take advantage of our attractive investment policies.
The Prime Minister reiterated that Pakistan is committed to strengthen democracy, further improve human rights and empower women. The priorities of the government ever since coming to power, he said, had been political and economic consolidation in wake of security concerns and global recession. The constitutional amendments and equitable distribution of resources through NFC Award, he added, are some of the endeavours in the same context.
Despite numerous challenges, the Prime Minister said, Pakistan stands committed to fight terrorism and bring about economic reforms in the country. The government, he mentioned, is gradually reducing subsidies on various services and also trying to raise additional domestic resources to improve the state of economy. Pakistan, he said, greatly appreciates international assistance for the flood affectees but would prefer that the same is extended through our own economic systems.
While underlining the significance of social sector development, the Prime Minister said that poverty, illiteracy, unemployment and under-development are the root causes of terrorism and extremism. He expressed confidence that the international community would come forward to assist Pakistan in bringing about a change in the bordering areas with Afghanistan in this context.
The political support given by all the political forces of Pakistan in war against terrorism, he said, has greatly helped to check this menace but this has to be followed by improving the quality of lives of the people in the backward areas of the country. Ms Ewa Bjoring, the Swedish Minister for Trade while expressing sympathies for the flood affected people assured that Sweden would be actively participating in the reconstruction and rehabilitation phases.
The Swedish government, she said, has already obtained information from the World Bank and Asian Development Bank about the losses and areas, which need to be given focused attention. The Swedish Minister appreciated and welcomed the Prime Minister's proposal for institutionalised arrangement for economic relations between Pakistan and the Nordic region.
Sweden, she said, considered that it is important to facilitate trade between EU and Pakistan and would extend all possible support in this regard. A number of Swedish firms and companies, she mentioned, are eager to invest in Pakistan and are looking forward for opportunities in the wake of improving regional environment. The Swedish companies, which are already working in Pakistan are also planning to expand their business as well as contribution in the social sector development. Pakistan, she added, can attract more foreign investment through building up skilled and trained manpower in various fields.
Sweden, she said, can help in extending education and training facilities for Pakistani youth. Sweden, she added, is also interested in developing communication infrastructure in Pakistan both through services and technology. The meeting was also attended by Minister for Commerce Makhdoom Amin Faheem, Senator Syeda Sughra Imam, Secretary Foreign Affairs Salman Bashir and senior officials of the Board of Investment, Trade Development Authority and the Ministry of Commerce.-PR