By Adnan Hameed TWA ______ The Ambassador of Switzerland to Pakistan Georg Steiner has said Over the last 75 years, Pakistan and Switzerland have managed to engage in mutually beneficial relations in various domains. Today, Switzerland is one of the top foreign-direct investments in Pakistan. Thousands of jobs have been created in the country by a considerable number of Swiss companies. Ambassador Steiner expressed these views while speaking on the occasion of the 733rd National Day and 75 years of Diplomatic Relations between Switzerland and Pakistan. Federal Commerce Minister Jam Khan was the chief guest.

The Swiss ambassador further said, financial trade has been significant and reaches a volume of hundreds of millions of Swiss francs every year. And most importantly, more and more people in Switzerland are getting aware and take note of the opportunities that Pakistan offers. That is also one of the reasons why we have the privilege to welcome the Swiss foreign minister in Pakistan a few months after I had arrived here, he added. He said Switzerland and Pakistan will continue to move forward together and to grow together. ‘We will continue to listen to each other and most importantly, we will continue to learn from each other. And wherever there is potential for even closer relations, we will keep out and do our best to deliver. I believe there are quite a few interesting areas that deserve further efforts from both sides’. He also congratulated all Swiss companies operating so successfully in the Pakistani market. He added he had the privilege to meet most of you personally over the last 24 months. ‘You form a very important bridge between Switzerland and Pakistan, and you contribute in so many positive ways to bringing our two nations closer together. I would like to seize this opportunity to thank you all for your wonderful contributions’. Ambassador Georg said we at the Swiss Embassy will be happy to continue to stay in touch with you, of course, to exchange with you and to support you to the best of our abilities. Of course, you will always be most welcome at the Swiss compound in the diplomatic inquiry. ‘Secondly, I would like to say to our esteemed Pakistani counterparts, friends, and colleagues that Switzerland is grateful for the long-standing, friendly, and good relations with Pakistan’, he added.

Federal Minister Jam Kamal also spoke on the occasion and expressed the hope that relations between the two countries would further be cemented. He said Pakistan greatly values relations with Switzerland and is looking forward to giving new dimensions to these relations. The minister also extended congratulations to the Swiss govt and the Swiss people on behalf of the Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.