In a bid to boost investment and collaboration in renewable energy and IT sectors, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has extended an invitation to Swiss companies.
The call was made during a meeting between Prime Minister Sharif and a Swiss delegation led by Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis, held in Islamabad on Saturday.
Both sides expressed their commitment to fostering strong bilateral ties and exploring avenues for cooperation in various areas, including tourism, infrastructure development, climate change, trade and investment, development cooperation, higher education, and vocational training. To facilitate this collaboration, the governments agreed to utilize government-to-government (G2G) and business-to-business (B2B) channels.
During the meeting, Minister for Climate Change Sherry Rehman delivered a presentation on the Living Indus initiative and the Delta Blue Carbon project. These projects aim to restore over 300,000 hectares of mangrove wetlands, leading to a reduction of 147 million metric tonnes of carbon emissions and generating revenue of $250 million.
Prime Minister Sharif warmly welcomed Foreign Minister Cassis and his delegation, emphasizing the significance Pakistan places on its relations with Switzerland. He acknowledged the shared belief in fundamental principles of democracy and the rule of law as the foundation of the bilateral ties between the two countries. Additionally, Prime Minister Sharif expressed gratitude to the Swiss Government for their support following the devastating floods that occurred last year.
This bilateral visit holds great importance as it marks the first visit of a Swiss Foreign Minister to Pakistan in the past seventeen years, accompanied by three members of the Swiss Parliament. The visit signifies the growing interest in strengthening ties and exploring mutually beneficial opportunities.
Prime Minister Sharif took to Twitter to highlight the productive discussions held with Foreign Minister Cassis. He mentioned expanding cooperation in trade and investment, climate change, disaster management, risk reduction, early warning systems, higher education, and the development of tourism infrastructure. The Prime Minister praised Switzerland’s commitment to climate-responsible sustainable development.
The invitation extended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to Swiss companies underscores Pakistan’s determination to attract foreign investment and promote the growth of renewable energy and IT sectors. The collaboration between Pakistan and Switzerland is expected to bring numerous benefits to both countries while contributing to the global efforts in combating climate change and fostering sustainable development.
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