Pakistan attaches value to friendly relations with Sweden: Prime Minister

Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Friday said Pakistan attached great value to its friendly bilateral relations with Sweden in all fields, especially in bilateral trade for which there existed a great potential.
"Pakistan also wants to further strengthen bilateral co-operation in diplomatic, economic and defence fields," he said this while talking to Ann Wilkens, the outgoing Ambassador of Sweden to Pakistan, who paid a farewell call here. The Prime Minister talked about regional and international issues, economic performance and investment opportunities being offered by Pakistan.
He said Pakistan was promoting regional co-operation and making efforts for peace and stability in the region to leverage its true potential ensuring a better future for the next generations.
In this context, he mentioned Pakistan's commitment to the process of composite dialogue with India and efforts for peace, stability and prosperity in Afghanistan.
The Prime Minister said the successful implementation of multi-faceted and broad-based reform agenda of the government had transformed the economic landscape of the country and all social indicators had improved, which had increased the investment potential of the country.
Shaukat Aziz said Pakistan was an open country and being a fast-growing economy offers immense opportunities for business and investment. Pakistan, he said, offers level-playing field to local and foreign investors that accompanied by other factors has contributed to record foreign investment of over seven billion dollar during the last financial year.
The Prime Minister said more Swedish investors should explore ways and means to avail the opportunities offered in Pakistan. Ann Wilkens said she was appreciative of the support of the government of Pakistan in building bilateral relations between the two countries.
She said the Pakistani community in Sweden was living peacefully and contributing towards economic development of Sweden. She hoped the relations between the two countries would fast grow as both share a desire to further expand the relationship.
The Prime Minister appreciated the role played by Ann Wilkens during her tenure of posting in Pakistan in strengthening relations between the two countries and wished her well in her next assignment.