Italian Trade Commission office reopens in Karachi

Ambassador says 80 Italian traders to visit Pakistan in December

KARACHI: The Italian Trade Commission has reopened its office in Karachi after three years, showing confidence in the government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.This step has been highly appreciated by the business community of Pakistan as well as their Italian counterparts.

According to Dr Gianluca Rubagotti, the Consul-General of Italy, the visit of Italian Trade Agency ICE-ITA president paved the way for reopening of the office. He was impressed by the trade opportunities between the two countries.

Dr Rubagotti mentioned that the Italian government has an operational arm in Pakistan which will now extend all help in projection and promotion of Italian trade interests here. He said the commission would strive to enhance Pakistan-Italy and business and take it to new heights.

Ambassador of Italy Dr Stefano Pontecorvo said: "The re-opening of our Trade Agency Office in Karachi is an essential part of our strategy in launching Italy's ties with Pakistan, testified by the visit last year of the chairman of the Trade Agency, Dr Riccardo Monti, and this year by the visits of two leading members of the Italian government, the foreign minister and the defence minister.

“We are also expecting, in December, the visit of our vice-minister for trade, accompanied by substantial (about 80) Italian entrepreneurs, the first visit of its kind in Pakistan. “I firmly believe that ICE-ITA will be instrumental in consolidating our bilateral relations, due to its excellent expertise, resources and strong commitment to its mission. “I am, therefore, very grateful to our Trade Agency for having taken this step and am confident that this is a turning point in our economic relations.”