Italy and Pakistan can mutually benefit from enhanced cooperation: Ambassador Andreas Ferrarese

Celina Ali

Islamabad: Italy’s Ambassador to Pakistan Andreas Ferrarese said this week that Italy and Pakistan can mutually benefit from enhanced cooperation.

In a media interaction, Ambassador Andreas Ferrarese said Italy and Pakistan were historic friends and have been cooperating. This cooperation, he said, needed to be enhanced for mutual benefit.

The envoy said the business environment in Pakistan is much better now and his country wants to further strengthen bilateral trade and economic relations with Pakistan to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes.

The Ambassador said that 21st century is the century of Asia and Italy wants to develop closer cooperation with Pakistan and help it to improve the competitiveness of its economy.

He termed lack of awareness in the Italian business community about Pakistan was a problem for trade promotion, however, he said that efforts are being made to bring the Italian Trade Commissioner from Dubai to Pakistan that would help in addressing issues and improving bilateral trade between the two countries.

Ambassador Andreas Ferrarese said that Pakistan should focus on value addition of its products and Italy can help it with its advanced technology in various fields including marble and tourism.

He said the Italian embassy was considering giving long-term business visas to prominent Pakistani businessmen on the recommendation of Pakistani chambers of commerce and industry.