Swiss companies eager to invest in Pakistan: Switzerland Embassy

December 04, 2018: Many Swiss companies are doing good business in Pakistan and more are interested to explore Pakistan for partnerships and investment as they consider it a potential market for business activities.

These views were expressed by Deputy Head of Mission, Switzerland Embassy Bernhard Furger during an interaction with local business community at Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI).

He accompanied Beat Ineichen, Senior Consultant (South Asia) of Switzerland Global Enterprise which is an umbrella organization of Switzerland to promote the Swiss exports and joint ventures of the Swiss companies in other countries.

Speaking at the occasion, Beat Ineichen said the Western media was not projecting good image of Pakistan while things here were much better.

He said that he wanted to bring more Swiss companies to Pakistan so that they could see the real potential of Pakistan and explore business partnerships.

“The initiatives of the new government in Pakistan have created positive sentiment in foreign investors”, he said.

Moreover, he added that Swiss companies were interested in booming sectors in Pakistan and in the first phase they were looking for partners to promote exports to Pakistan while in the second phase they could come to Pakistan with technology transfer to invest in promising sectors of Pakistan’s economy.

Citing the purpose of his visit to study Pakistan’s market for partnerships and investment, he said that Swiss advanced technology, expertise and knowledge would benefit Pakistan, especially its SMEs.

Speaking at the occasion, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry Ahmed Hassan Moughal briefed the delegation about the potential business opportunities in various sectors of Pakistan’s economy.

He identified automobile, construction, energy, oil and gas, mining, IT, hoteling and tourism as potential areas for JVs and investment for Swiss companies. He emphasized that Swiss investors should bring technology and cooperate with Pakistan in hydro power, renewable energy, dairy farming, construction of new five star hotels and housing units.

Senior Vice President Rafat Faridsaid that Switzerland was quite strong in tourism while Pakistan has great potential for tourism which still remained untapped. They stressed that Swiss companies of tourism sector should set up joint ventures in Pakistan for promoting its tourism industry.

(APP)