Italy eyes doubling trade with Pakistan to $3b
Listen to article
The Consul General of Italy in Karachi, Fabrizio Bielli, has emphasised the need to strengthen bilateral economic, trade, and investment ties between Italy and Pakistan, aiming to double the current trade volume to at least $3 billion in the coming years.
According to a press statement released on Wednesday, Bielli highlighted Karachi's vast economic potential during a visit to the Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI), describing it as a city full of untapped opportunities, especially in energy, agriculture, water recycling, and industrial machinery. "Italy is a global leader in producing high-quality machinery for the textile sector as well as advanced medical equipment, including incubators for new-borns. We are in a strong position to support Pakistan in addressing its growing healthcare infrastructure needs," he said.
Having assumed office just two months ago, Bielli expressed keen interest in exploring Karachi's economic landscape and urged KCCI to submit a sectoral requirement report three times a year. "This document will help us channel key insights to the relevant sectors in Italy, enabling Italian institutions and businesses to better understand the opportunities available in Karachi and across Pakistan", he said.
He also encouraged Pakistani businesses to utilixe the Italian Trade Promotion Section at the Consulate, which actively supports small and medium-sized enterprises.
"More than just a window, a door is open at the Italian Consulate for promoting trade and investment ties," Bielli stated. "Let's work together to identify opportunities and strengthen economic and commercial relations between our two countries."
KCCI Senior Vice President Ziaul Arfeen noted that bilateral trade crossed $1.6 billion in FY24, with Pakistan's exports to Italy reaching $1.12 billion. Arfeen said the recent hike in US tariffs presented a chance for Pakistan to deepen ties with partners like Italy.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
4 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Pakistan's military leadership extends Eidul Azha greetings to nation
Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and other military commanders stand up in respect of the national anthem. PHOTO: NNI Listen to article On the occasion of Eidul Azha, Pakistan's top military leadership, including Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, Chief of Naval Staff, and Chief of Air Staff, have extended their heartfelt Eid greetings to the people of Pakistan. The statement, issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), conveyed the armed forces' earnest prayers for lasting peace, prosperity, and national unity. It praised the enduring resilience of the Pakistani nation and expressed profound gratitude for the bravery and sacrifices of the armed forces, Law Enforcement Agencies, and the citizens who continue to safeguard the nation's security and stability. Eidul Azha, a time of reflection, sacrifice, and unity, was acknowledged as an opportunity to promote harmony within the country. The military leaders highlighted the need to strengthen the spirit of solidarity that unites Pakistan as a nation, reaffirming the armed forces' commitment to defend the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity. "We stand resolutely with the people of Pakistan," the statement added, "united in purpose and steadfast in our sacred duty to protect the homeland." The message also honoured the families of martyrs, known as Shuhada-e-Pakistan, for their ultimate sacrifices in the service of peace and the nation. The military's tribute highlighted their irreplaceable role in ensuring the country's safety and security.
Express Tribune
4 hours ago
- Express Tribune
'I got that war stopped': Trump on Pakistan-India ceasefire
US President Donald Trump speaks during a swearing-in ceremony for the new US ambassador to China, former US Senator David Perdue, at the White House in Washington, DC, US on May 7, 2025. Photo: REUTERS Listen to article US President Donald Trump said he successfully brokered a ceasefire between India and Pakistan last month, citing the threat of nuclear escalation as the primary motivator. The ceasefire, reached on May 10, halted the worst military confrontation between the two nuclear-armed nations in decades. The conflict, which saw both sides using fighter jets, drones, missiles, and artillery, led to around 70 casualties. Tensions had been escalating following an attack on April 22 in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 tourists. India subsequently launched airstrikes on Pakistani cities on May 7, accusing Pakistan of being behind the attack, an allegation Islamabad denied, responding with strikes on Indian military targets. Speaking from the White House on Thursday, where he was hosting German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Trump revealed the role he played in facilitating the ceasefire. He said, 'I spoke to some very talented people on both sides ... and I said, you know, we're dealing with you on trade, Pakistan and India right now. I said we're not going to deal with you on trade if you're going to go shooting each other and whipping out nuclear weapons that maybe even affect us.' Trump emphasised the threat posed by nuclear conflict, noting, 'Because you know that nuclear dust blows across oceans very quickly, it affects us.' The US president said that his warning about trade deals helped bring an end to the hostilities. 'I got that war stopped,' he said, crediting the leadership on both sides for backing off from military confrontation. Since the ceasefire, Pakistan has continued to express gratitude for Trump's mediation efforts, while India has rejected the notion that it was influenced by US pressure.
Express Tribune
5 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Bilawal urges Trump to mediate talks between Pakistan, India over Kashmir
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, former Foreign Minister of Pakistan and current head of the Pakistan People's Party, leads a delegation to Washington, which played a key mediatory role in a ceasefire after Pakistan's conflict with India in May. Photo: AFP Listen to article Heading the Parliamentary Diplomatic Committee, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman and former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has called on US President Donald Trump to play a role in defusing tensions between Pakistan and India. In an interview with AFP, Bilawal urged US President Donald Trump to play an active role in bringing India to the negotiating table for comprehensive talks with Pakistan. He stated that while Pakistan is open to discussions on terrorism, the central issue of any meaningful dialogue must be the Kashmir conflict. He highlighted the growing dangers posed by India, which used terrorism as a justification for military action, potentially destabilising the entire South Asian region. "The destiny of 1.7 billion people cannot be left to faceless non-state actors or India's so-called new normal," he warned. In a separate interview with Chinese media, Bilawal called out India for deliberately undermining regional peace through unilateral aggression on Pakistani soil. He stressed that the Pakistani community in the US must unite and contribute to shared goals of peace and prosperity. He reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to peace and dialogue, emphasising the country's role as a responsible actor amid rising tensions. The former FM appealed to the international community to support efforts for peace, noting that lasting stability in South Asia hinges on inclusive dialogue. A peaceful South Asia, with normalised trade relations between India and Pakistan, would bring widespread benefits to the region and beyond, he added. Bilawal further acknowledged the sacrifices made by Pakistan's military leadership in the ongoing fight against terrorism. "We have consistently taken steps toward peace, while India continues its aggression," he said. "If India escalates the situation, Pakistan retains the right to respond accordingly." He also addressed the issue of Indian-sponsored terrorism in Balochistan, supporting terrorist groups like the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and th Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). He questioned whether this would lead to an ongoing cycle of conflict after every terrorist attack, given India's approach. Read more: India laying ground for 'first nuclear water war', says Bilawal Meanwhile, Bilawal held meetings with key figures, including Senator Tom Cotton, Congress members Liu Correa and Brian Mast, and senior officials from the US Department of Homeland Security. These discussions focused on regional cooperation, the Kashmir dispute, and the broader implications for US-Pakistan relations. During a talk at the Middle East Institute in Washington, he underscored the urgent need for the resolution of long-standing conflicts in the region. He reiterated Pakistan's willingness to engage in discussions on Kashmir, terrorism, and water issues, but emphasized the need for the US to act as a mediator to advance the dialogue. He pointed out that India's actions in Kashmir have violated international agreements and UN resolutions. He commended the recent US efforts in offering to mediate, which has re-internationalised the Kashmir issue, disproving India's narrative that Kashmir is a bilateral matter. He further stressed that Pakistan condemns terrorism and firmly rejects any involvement in recent incidents in Kashmir, calling for impartial international investigations, which India has so far rejected. Bilawal also raised concerns over India's threat to disrupt Pakistan's water supply under the Indus Water Treaty, describing this as a potential trigger for war. He urged the US and the international community to intervene and prevent this dangerous trend, warning of its catastrophic consequences for the entire region. Also read: South Asia at brink over Kashmir and Indus Water Treaty, Bilawal warns US lawmakers Reflecting on the recent conflict with India, he highlighted Pakistan's military victories, including the shooting down of Indian aircraft. He noted that, at the diplomatic level, the world has once again recognised the importance of Pakistan-India relations. He expressed hope for future cooperation between India and Pakistan, particularly in the areas of trade, water security, and environmental challenges like flooding and drought. He also proposed the possibility of an India-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which could enhance bilateral prosperity while benefiting regional and global stakeholders, particularly the US. Bilawal concluded the mission with a strong call for international support in ensuring lasting peace and stability in South Asia, stressing that both Pakistan and India must prioritise dialogue and cooperation to address shared challenges and secure a prosperous future for the region. Other members of the parliamentary delegation thanked the US for its positive response and reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to peaceful resolutions of all unresolved issues. They also urged global leaders to support this critical diplomatic mission.
