CPEC attracts Austrian investment in Pakistan

Karachi: The embassy of Austria and its consulates in Pakistan explored investment opportunities for Austrian companies linked to China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

“We are exploring investment opportunities in Pakistan for our companies,” said Ambassador of Austria to Pakistan Dr Brigitta Blaha on Monday during an interactive session at Pakistan Institute of International Affairs (PIIA).

PIIA Chairperson and former ambassador of Pakistan Dr Masooma welcomed the diplomat amid good number of participants representing different professions.

The Austrian ambassador spoke about her country’s foreign policy. She said that Austria saw CPEC very positively and her country had a very particular role in it, adding that the Austrian missions were searching the avenues of investment to bring more Austrian companies in Pakistan.

The missions were actively engaged with the business community of Pakistan besides the governments also for promoting bilateral trade she said, adding that there should be more exchange of trade and cultural delegations between the two countries.

Austria had 100 offices spread across the world for surfing business partnership and access to new markets for promoting foreign trade. It was also extending maximum cooperation in reducing poverty in partnering countries, she said.

She informed the participants that a group of Pakistani musicians and artistes were due in Austria for performance and in reciprocation Austrian artistes would soon visit Pakistan for the same.

To a question, she replied that the people of Austria were very happy to be a part of the European Union (EU). Austria has been its member for the last twenty years.” Our people are convinced that EU is a good thing and should continue,” she remarked.