PM invites Austrian businesses to expand investments in Pakistan

Pakistan and Austria have agreed to further strengthen the bilateral relationship in diverse fields, including economic cooperation, trade and investment, tourism, hospitality, education, IT, healthcare and human resource development and mobility.

This commitment was expressed at a meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Federal Chancellor of Austria Christian Stocker in Vienna on Monday.

The two sides also agreed to work for the early finalisation of Memoranda of Understanding related to these areas.

Both sides also exchanged views on regional and global developments. They agreed on the central role of the United Nations in addressing the challenges of peace and security, peaceful settlement of disputes, sustainable development, climate action and protection and promotion of human rights. They expressed their shared commitment to multilateralism and appreciated mutual support for each other's candidatures, while working together with the international community to strengthen the UN system.  

The Prime Minister and the Federal Chancellor of Austria also co-chaired a forum of CEOs of leading Austrian and Pakistani companies working in renewable energies, energy efficiency, industrial manufacturing and construction, IT, textiles, surgical equipment, leather and sports products, healthcare, tourism and hospitality and food and agro-industries.

It was agreed to expand G2G, G2B and B2B engagements between the two countries through the effective utilisation of the existing platforms.

The Prime Minister invited the Austrian businesses and companies to participate in the upcoming EU-Pakistan Business Forum to be held in Islamabad in April this year.

Shehbaz Sharif thanked the Federal Chancellor for the meaningful and productive meetings during the visit that would lend fresh impetus to bilateral ties. He extended an invitation to the Federal Chancellor to undertake an official visit to Pakistan at his earliest convenience.

Upon his arrival at the Federal Chancellery, the Prime Minister was received by Chancellor Stocker and welcomed by an impressive guard of honour ceremony. He also inscribed his comments in the Guest Book.

The two leaders held a restricted meeting, followed by delegation-level talks.