Pakistan an important country for Italy: Ambassador Andreas Ferrarese

Celina Ali

Islamabad: Italy’s Ambassador to Pakistan Andreas Ferrarese said this week that Pakistan was an important country on the list of Italy and Rome wanted to multiply cooperation with Islamabad.

In a media interaction, the envoy said during his two-three years in Islamabad, he had seen the cooperation between the two friendly countries grow.

He expressed hope that establishment of the Italian Trade Agency (ICE) office in Islamabad and assignment of the first Italian Trade Director to Pakistan would enhance trade cooperation between the two countries.

“I am pleased to share with you exciting news; that is the establishment of the Italian Trade Agency (ICE) office in Islamabad and the assignment of the first Italian Trade Director to Pakistan would be a major step towards enhanced trade cooperation between the two countries”, the Ambassador said.

He added: “We shall continue to explore the avenues with a focus on agriculture, renewable energy, textiles, construction and tourism. Collaboration in fields of textiles, agriculture, livestock, marble, pharmaceuticals, and mass manufacturing will help enhance Pakistan’s industrial scope and increase exports of value-added goods”.

The Ambassador further stated that the fifth Italy-Pakistan Joint Economic Commission (JEC) took place on May 29-30 in Rome, where the two sides agreed to establish a joint framework to deal with climate change and cooperation in water management.

He said both sides signed an important “Roadmap for Cooperation” which covered climate change, trade & investment, heritage & culture, agriculture, technical cooperation, higher education, and transfer of technology in related sectors.

“Italy remains among the top ten exporting countries for Pakistan in the world, and the third major trade partner in the EU. Both our countries are in favor of trade liberalization scheme at the World Trade Organization and contest the idea of unilateralism” he added.