ISLAMABAD: Ambassador of Italy to Pakistan Vincenzo Prati said that Pakistan had potential for economic boom as it had hard working people and abundant resources.
He said his country would further strengthen its relations with Pakistan.
"I am optimistic that Pakistan has potential for economic boom due to its hard working people and raw materials and my country would participate in development projects," he told APP after attending a ceremony to celebrate "Italian-Pakistan Partnership in Development" organized by Economic Affairs Division (EAD) here at local hotel.
Secretary Economic Affairs Division (EAD), Dr.Waqar Masood Khan also spoke on the occasion.
The Italian Ambassador also appreciated the government policy of "trade and not aid", adding his country wanted to further collaborate with Pakistan in different sectors of economy for the welfare of people of Pakistan.
He added that under debt swap agreement with Pakistan his country initiated a number of development projects for the benefit of the people of Pakistan and this collaboration would continue.
He also mentioned the Italian support to Pakistan during the earthquake and floods and initiated a number of projects in Azad Kashmir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, FATA and Balochistan in health, education, livelihood, poverty reduction, environment, agriculture and infrastructure sectors in Pakistan.
Ambassador Vincenzo Prati was of the view that there are 100,000 Pakistanis living Italy but few hundred Italians are living in Pakistan.
In his opening remarks, Dr.Waqar Masood Khan thanked the government of Italy for its support to Pakistan under its debt swap programme.
"Italy has not only helped Pakistan in promotion of education, health and agriculture sectors, development of infrastructure, poverty eradication and socio economic prosperity but also helped reduced debt burden of our country," he remarked.
Pakistan, he said had received extraordinary benefits from the debt swap programme of Italy for its people.
Pakistan wants to maintain its long term and sustainable relationship and development partnership with Italy, he added.
Dr.Waqar Masood Khan assured the Ambassador of Italy to Pakistan of his government's full support for the economic activities in Pakistan.
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