The Swiss Business Council (SBC) in collaboration with the Consulate General of Switzerland in Karachi and the Swiss-Asian Chamber of Commerce (SACC) in Zurich recently organised a twenty two-member trade and investment delegation to Switzerland on a three days visit.
The delegation comprised of Chief Executives of leading industries/organisations from Pakistan as well members from the Korangi Association of Trade and Industry, Karachi and the Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Faisalabad and Hyderabad.
In order to highlight the trade and investment opportunities that Pakistan offers to the Swiss businesspeople, a conference was held at Kongresshaus, Zurich where some members of the Pakistani delegation gave their presentation on some of the potential sectors for FDI ie Financial Sector (Stock Exchange), mining and minerals in particular precious metals and stones, tools and machinery, textiles etc with regards to the Pakistani exports to Switzerland, textiles and food/agro based products were the main features beside some other avenues of co-operation.
Syed Farukh Mazhar, President-SBC and Managing Director of SGS Pakistan evoked a brief introduction to SBC; he said that, "Swiss Business Council, Pakistan has established business-to-business relations between the two countries and provided strong linkages for exchange of business related information.
Mr Didier Boschung, Consul General of Switzerland in Karachi delivering the keynote address on Pak-Swiss Trade at the event, said, "Pakistan will be one of the world's drivers of growth in years to come, notwithstanding some of the challenges of the present. There are significant opportunities for partnership between Swiss and Pakistani firms and encouraged Swiss businesspeople to explore these. A large number of Swiss multinational companies are operating in Pakistan.
Farhat Ali, Chairman of External Affairs-SBC and President of Global Power invoked the "Investment Opportunities in Pakistan," He said, 'in the constant challenging and dynamic environment Pakistan continues to be a Land of Untapped Opportunities' based on it's strategic location, natural resources - most of which remains unexplored, talented man - power resources and above all the resilient business community of Pakistan. The Chairman, External Affairs further resolved that, SBC should work closely with the SACC to invoke FDI and improve the perception of Pakistan in Switzerland.
Haroon Askari, Deputy Managing Director and Head of Operation, Karachi Stock Exchange (Guarantee) Ltd (KSE) presented a brief overview of Pakistan's economy, and highlighted efforts made by the KSE management for development of capital market and steps taken for seeking new listing at the KSE. He also informed the participants that "Pakistan's stock market is one of the best performing in the world. Yet it still remains one of the most attractive priced in terms of regional Price to Earning multiples".
Mirza Talib Hassan, the then Director General of Geological Survey of Pakistan and CEO, Hasan Geo-min Associates briefed on Mining - Precious Metals, Minerals and Stones and Mehtab Uddin Chawla, CEO, Al-Karam Towel Industries briefed on Textiles.
Mr Markus Haefeli of Parazelsus Ltd and Peter Schiessl, Regional Head Middle East and Africa, Clariant Ltd showcased the success stories of their investments in Pakistan and their continued further investments in these challenging times. The delegation visited the Trade and Mode Center (TMC) in Zurich, Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry and a Swiss Watch Company in Bienne, State Secretariat of Economic Affairs (SECO) and the Swiss Parliament in Berne, besides various other institutions and organisations.-PR