"Quality is our maxim and innovation is our objective", Swiss Consul General Didier Boschung said this at a reception hosted by him to celebrate the 721st National Day of Switzerland at hotel Sheraton in Karachi.
The Swiss Consul General said several studies had ranked Switzerland as the world's most innovative nation because the country was a leader in innovation-intensive industries like telecommunications, biopharmaceuticals, machine tools and precision instruments.
Speaking about Pakistan - Switzerland relations, Boschung said both countries enjoyed cordial and friendly relations with a long history of collaboration, adding that Switzerland was present here in a big way and ranked as the fifth largest investor in Pakistan in term of foreign direct investment. There were 21 Swiss firms operating in Pakistan with long-term investment plans who were adding value to the market through top quality products and services.
The Swiss representative said that during the last seven years, Switzerland's investment has crossed one billion US dollars and that new Swiss companies would be interested to invest if Pakistan successfully addresses its issues of power shortage, security and law & order.
He pointed out that Swiss Business Council which was set up in 2008 had undertaken several successful initiatives to further promote bilateral trade and investment between Pakistan and Switzerland.
Talking about his personal experience, Swiss envoy said that he arrived in Pakistan in August 2010 and he was enjoying the kind and warm hospitality of the Pakistani people.
He said there were many similarities between Switzerland and Pakistan. Both countries had different culture and linguistic groups, both were hospitable nations with proud traditions and both had beautiful and majestic mountains, he added.
The evening was attended by elite of the city and members of the Consular Corps. The event was made even more enjoyable by three Swiss musicians who performed on traditional Swiss instruments and presented delightful Swiss folk music.-PR