Businessmen advised to explore opportunities in foreign lands

KARACHI: Pakistani entrepreneurs should visit foreign countries to explore business opportunities, Consul General of Switzerland in Karachi, Emil Wyss said at a dinner hosted in his honour by Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI) president on Wednesday.
Wyss said that a Swiss delegation visited KATI last August with the slogan Pakistan-World’s Secret Treasure. “This slogan is still on,” he said, adding that many positive things happened in Pakistan during the last couple of months. “The casualty rate in Karachi has dropped significantly and it’s not among the top 50 cities of world in murder rate,” he said.
The consul general said Pakistani companies were good in corporate social responsibility (CSR) and the country ranked fourth in the world in philanthropy. He urged Pakistani businessmen to go abroad and find out new business partners. “Only businessmen can change the perception of Pakistan,” he added.
The Swiss Consulate in Karachi would remain open on this Friday for the first international friendship exhibition at Jinnah International Airport Karachi, Wyss said. The visitors will get to know about Switzerland, and companies from both countries will present their products to make things interesting.
KATI President Rashid Siddiqui said bilateral trade between the two countries stood at a modest $749 million but it could be multiplied. “There lays a big the two countries from the present level,” he said.
Switzerland was the fifth largest country in terms of foreign direct investment in Pakistan, he added. “Many Swiss companies are successfully operating in various sectors, including energy, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, food, quality testing and machinery.”
He stressed upon trade liberalisation between the two countries and suggested that Switzerland should put direct investment in joint ventures in Pakistan. “Pakistan does not want aid or grant but wants to build relationship on equal basis,” he added.