‘French firms keen to invest in Pakistan’

KARACHI: French companies are interested to invest in different sectors of Pakistan, a diplomat said.

Talking to newsmen at a reception hosted for the Swiss Consul General in Karachi by Beach Luxury Hotel on Thursday night, French Consul General Didier Talpain expressed satisfaction over the law and order situation in the city and described it a good place for trade and investment.

"My French friends called me and inquired about Pakistan’s environment for trade and foreign investment, and I assured them it is a safe country," he said, adding that as a diplomat it was his duty to enhance trade and investment between his country and Pakistan.

French companies are keen to do business in Pakistan, including joint ventures mainly in auto industry, transport, waste water treatment plants, pharmaceutical and cosmetics, the French consul general said.

A big Japanese company has planned to set up cars manufacturing or assembling plant; most likely in Karachi, he added.

Around 60 Japanese companies some of these big were successfully operating in Pakistan.

He said France and Pakistan have strong business alliance, which could further be strengthened by exchange of information, and increased government-to-government and business-to-business contacts.