Peshawar - Ambassador of Switzerland in Pakistan, Mr Benedict De Carjat, Monday said that mutual trade, commercial and economic relations between Swiss and Pakistan improved significantly during the last two years despite the outbreak of the novel corona virus pandemic, in which the larger share was of textile sector. 

However, he emphasized that there is huge potential to further strengthen bilateral economic, trade relations and investment cooperation between the two countries. The diplomat said his country has given more importance to enhance mutual trade and economic relations with Pakistan. 

He was speaking to members of the Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) during his visit to the Chamber’s House here on Monday. 

On the occasion, they agreed to make joint initiatives and launch joint ventures to further cement bilateral trade, commerce and commercial cooperation between Pakistan and Switzerland. 

“KP is a lucrative destination for foreign investments wherein huge potential is available to make investment, including natural resources, mines, minerals, honey, handicraft, especially tourism sector,” said Imran Khan, Acting President SCCI, while speaking on the occasion.

Furthermore, he noted that Switzerland foreign direct investment in Pakistan is very high, providing more than 12000 employments to Pakistanis. He assured the visiting diplomat to extend every cooperation and support to further strengthen mutual economic and trade ties between the two countries. He vowed to take joint initiatives for uplift of the tourism sector under a holistic strategy. 

The SCCI chief also invited the Swiss investors to make investment in all the above mentioned potential sectors.

Accompanied by Commercial Advisor Muhammad Ajwat Arsalan and Commercial Attaché Arturo Piovesana, the Swiss ambassador said his country is ready to cooperate with Pakistan to bring infrastructure improvement in tourism attraction locations. 

Benedict De Du Carjat while commenting on the prevailing Afghan situations asked the participants how much they have impacts from the current scenario, because their mostly business attached with the war-ravaged Afghanistan. 

The Swiss diplomat assured to extend every possible cooperation and support to terrorism affected people of Afghanistan in their time testing situations, because the Afghans are passing through a difficult phase of their life and faced with numerous challenges. He also called for provision of all facilities and financial support on emergency basis to avert human catastrophe in the war-torn Afghanistan.