KARACHI: Consul General of Italy, Ms. Anna Ruffino has said that Pakistan is a very interesting market for the Italian businessmen who are more and more interested in doing business with their Pakistani counterparts in different sectors of the economy.
“Pakistan is amongst Italy’s priorities and it is a very interesting market for the Italian investors”, Italian CG said, “Italy can also provide expertise in many fields like agriculture, waste management, clothes, food, leather and marbles etc.”
Speaking at a meeting during her visit to Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry on Monday, Ms. Anna hoped that the opportunities and potential between Pakistan and Italy will grow in the coming years.
President KCCI Muffasar Atta Malik, Senior Vice President Abdul Basit Abdul Razzak, Vice President Rehan Hanif, Chairman KCCI’s Diplomatic Missions & Embassies Liaison Sub-Committee Sohail Amin, Former President Majyd Aziz and KCCI Managing Committee Members were also present at the meeting.
Italian CG further stated that 76 percent of Pakistan’s textile and clothing are exported to European Union which shows that it is a potential market for the Italian Textile Machinery.
She informed that the Italian Government is looking forward to open Italian Trade Agency (ITA) in Karachi this year. “If it happens by April 2018, My Karachi Exhibition will be a good opportunity for ITA to share information about Italian companies through this exhibition”, she added.
In response to concerns expressed over issuance of visas, she said that the Italian Embassy and Consulate have a very pro-business approach in issuing business visas. “If you fulfill the criteria, provide all the required documentation and if you are a real businessman, you will certainly get the visa which is not a big deal for us” she said, adding that visa was a very important instrument to increase business and commercial trade.
While referring to GSP Plus status, she said that GSP plus status to Pakistan is currently being reviewed which was a complicated procedure as it involves 27 EU members. “GSP Plus to Pakistan will be extended and we are confident it will end in a positive way”, she added.
In his welcome note, President KCCI Muffasar Atta Malik, while referring to existing trade volume between Pakistan and Italy, stressed the need to exchange more trade delegations between the two countries as the current trade volume was not that promising.
