Sweden interested to enhance ties with Pakistan

Envoy urges government to train population in new fields

RAWALPINDI: Sweden is keen on investing in Pakistan in information technology, telecom and renewable energy sector to further bolster bilateral relation and assistance, said Ambassador of Sweden to Pakistan Ingrid Johansson.

Addressing traders during her visit to the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) on Monday, she urged upon the government to train the population with a set of modern skills in new fields like start-ups, innovation and digitalisation, which were major areas of sustainable economic development in Sweden.

She expressed Sweden’s desire to develop strong business contacts with Pakistan and also for focusing on the promotion of the small and medium enterprises in the country. Stating figures, Johansson informed that the bilateral trade volume between Pakistan and Sweden stood at around $370 million.

She added that Sweden was in the lead in exporting renewable energy to the neighbouring countries and Pakistan could benefit from Swedish experience.

“This will help Pakistan achieve sustainable economic growth,” she remarked.

The ambassador pointed out that Sweden possessed a population of 10 million but still had a higher GDP than Pakistan because it focused on capacity building and sustainable development.

She was of the view that there was a need to open market and believed that Pakistan had huge potential.

Speaking on the occasion, RCCI President Malik Shahid Saleem highlighted that Pakistan was the best place for investment as things have improved remarkably. He stressed upon the envoy to improve people to people contacts and exchange of delegations.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 2^nd, 2019.

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