Deputy Trade Commissioner of Italy, AR Daudpota called on MCCI President Khawaja Jalaluddin Roomi and exchanged views on bilateral trade between Pakistan and Italy particularly in South Punjab. Daudpota said another high-powered Italian delegation would visit Pakistan on December 7, under the leadership of State Minister with representatives of 80 Italian companies from textile, leather, footwear, infrastructure, information technology, renewable energy, agriculture, automotive sectors. The delegation would also have six Italian business associations in its fold.
MCCI President Khawaja Jalaluddin Roomi suggested that the delegation should also visit Southern Punjab to explore opportunities for trade & investment. Italy's main industries are tourism, machinery, iron & steel, chemicals, food processing, textiles, motor vehicles, clothing, footwear and ceramics. Most raw materials needed by industry and more than 75 percent of energy requirements are imported. He said joint ventures between the private sectors of the two countries could help enhance mutual trade volume.
Roomi said Italy was an important trading partner of Pakistan in Europe which came at 5th and 3rd places respectively among the top exporting and importing destinations for Pakistan in European Union. He said the balance of trade favoured Pakistan and it was encouraging to see that volume of bilateral trade was being maintained over one billion dollar. The MCCI President said "both the countries have big market size, so we will suggest that market surveys should be conducted to explore the potential areas of trade."
He said it was really good to see that Italian investors and businessmen were taking interest in fashion and marble sectors of Pakistan in particular. "If Italy could help Pakistan get the latest technology required in these sectors then we can create win-win situation for both the countries."