Italian Consul General Anna Ruffino has said Italy is considering to open its Trade agency in Karachi soon. Speaking at a meeting of Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI), she said security situation in Karachi has improved remarkably and Italian investors are now taking interest in energy, tourism, technical assistance and other sectors of Pakistan.
She said economic indicators of Pakistan are getting better. She told that a delegation of Italian tour operators would soon visit Islamabad and tour attractions of northern areas for the promotion of tourism. Italian CG said a business expo also would be held in Pakistan and a large number of delegates from Italy would participate in the expo. This expo will strengthen B2B partnership, she added.
KATI president Tariq Malik briefed her about economic and production potential of Korangi Industrial Area. He also urged to promote bilateral trade between both the countries. Head of KATI's standing committee on diplomatic affairs, Masood Naqi said in textile section Italian machinery becoming favourite and we are looking forward to uplift this relation to higher levels.
KATI SVP Salman Aslam urged for a free trade agreement (FTA) between Pakistan and Italy to enhance trade relations. KATI former president Gulzar Feroz told that leather exports to Italy dropped 10 percent in previous year and effective measures are needed to recover the volume.
On this occasion president of Italian Development Committee (IDC) Arij Iqbal said several projects of water treatment, technical assistance and B2B cooperation could be put on the table. He said Pakistan's diplomatic mission in Italy could play affective role to explore Italian markets for Pakistani Industry and exports.