Pak trade delegate to explore Swiss market

Karachi, March 09, 2011 (PPI): A large trade delegation from Pakistan is scheduled to visit Switzerland in May to explore business opportunities and boost bilateral trade between the two countries.

This was announced by the Consul General of Switzerland, Didier Boschung at a meeting with office bearers and members of Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI).

The Swiss diplomat also invited the KATI industrialists to also become a part of the delegation which is being organized by Swiss Business Council (SBC) with the collaboration of Swiss Asian Chamber Zurich and Swiss Consulate General Karachi.

“I am optimistic that the business alliance of these two bodies will open new doors and create new business opportunities to further stimulate economic ties between the two countries,” Boschung said.

He said that textile machinery is the major import into Pakistan from Switzerland and the Swiss manufacturers have received very good response in the largest textile machinery exhibition - Megatech 2011 recently held at Lahore Expo Centre.

He said that about 99 per cent of all companies in Switzerland are belonged to the SMEs sector and provide 67 per cent of all jobs. He further said that the bilateral trade between the two countries was reached to half a billion Swiss francs in 2008 but it feel down to 360 million francs in 2010 due to economic slowdown.

He, however, said that the Switzerland is the 5th largest foreign investor in Pakistan.

Boschung said that Switzerland has joined Schnegen Space in 2008 and the businessmen and visitors can enter into Switzerland with the Schengen Visa. He informed that applications for Schengen visa can be submitted to the Embassy of Switzerland in Islamabad via the Fedex/Gerry’s visa services in Karachi or directly at the visa counter of the Embassy. He said that Swiss Consulate is not involved in dealing visa matters anymore.

Earlier, the Chairman, KATI, Syed Johar Ali Qandhari in his address emphasized on boosting bilateral trade between the two countries through frequent exchange of trade delegation and participation in the exhibitions. He suggested organizing a special delegation of KATI to visit Switzerland and display products there. He also suggested easy visa process for multiple entries to Switzerland on the recommendation of KATI.

The Chairman, KATI’s Standing Committee on Diplomatic Affairs, Masood Naqi said that Pakistan is a big emerging market and open for Swiss investors to enter into joint ventures with Pakistani stakeholders.