KARACHI- An investors conference will be held in Italy to lure investment from Italian entrepreneurs in Pakistan, followed by two investment conferences in Karachi and Lahore.

This was stated by the president Italian Development Council (IDC) Tariq Ikram while speaking at the launching of a trade magazine "Ponte d'affri" of IDC here Wednesday. Italian Consul General Domenico Benincasa and IDC members were also present on the occasion.

He said that Board of Investment (BoI) will organise inventors conference in Italy while All Pakistan Marble Industries Association will sponsor investment conference in Karachi and Punjab Board of Investment and Trade will sponsor investment conference in Lahore. After these conferences, a large delegation of Pakistani businessmen will visit Italy to find Italian partners for joint venture in Pakistan, he added.

Ikram said that dates for these conferences will be settled between IDC at Karachi and chambers and trade associations in Italy in conjunction with the respective government institutions. Giving details of his recent visit as head of IDC delegation to Italian cities of Bergamo, Undine and Rome to attract Italian businessmen to invest in Pakistan, he said that his meetings was very fruitful.

He said discussions with top businessmen and chambers and Italian officials ranged from the participation under Pakistan Pavilion in the October 2010 trade fair in Italy, to the organisation of a multi-sector Italian Pavilion at a later date in Pakistan. Ikram said members of Bergamo Chamber of Commerce has expressed special interest in handicrafts of Pakistan. He pointed out that IDC delegation and Augusto Strianese, president Assocamerestero, a parent body of all the Italian international chambers have discussed, in detail, the opportunities in marble, energy, minerals, agriculture, pharmaceutical and other sectors in Pakistan.

Deputy Chief of Mission, Italian Embassy Sara Rezoagli, while reading out the address of Italian Ambassador Vincenzo Prati, said that Italy was optimistic on the economic future of Pakistan and we bet that its economy will grow as strong as the economy of China. "In this perspective, we consider our interest to promote the economic cooperation with Pakistan and to be part of its development. But to expand our presence in Pakistan, we should make every possible effort to make the necessary security measures".

Later, talking to media, she said that Vice Minister of Finance, Italy Mr Vegas will visit Pakistan from February 19 to 21. This will be followed by the visit of Italian President. She said great potential existed for joint ventures in infrastructure, energy, marble, stones, agriculture, leather, machines and pharma sectors.

Saquib Nisar Khattak
Media Coordinator