PM says Islamabad to host EU-Pak Business Forum in April, invites Austrian investors to explore opportunities
\n Vienna
\nPrime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday said that Pakistan was working with European partners to curb illegal immigration.
\nThe premier made the remarks while addressing the Pakistan-Austria Business Forum in Vienna, where he arrived on Sunday for a two-day visit.
\nPM Shehbaz expressed the resolve to combat illegal immigration in collaboration with partners like Austria, Germany and France.
\nEvery year, dozens of Pakistanis lose their lives while seeking a better future, often falling victim to human smugglers and other criminals.
\nSpeaking on the occasion, PM Shehbaz underscored Pakistan\u2019s commitment to boosting bilateral economic cooperation with Austria while highlighting the country\u2019s vast potential in key sectors such as renewable energy, agriculture, mining, and human resource development.
\nThe premier said that Pakistan was an agrarian country and more than 60% people lived in the rural areas, calling upon Austrian expertise to enhance value-addition in citrus and other produce for export markets.
\nHe also invited Austrian investors to explore opportunities in mining, tourism and engineering sectors.
\n\u201cAustria has world-class expertise in engineering, renewable energy, environmental technology and advanced manufacturing,\u201d he added.
\nHe invited Austrian companies to participate in Pakistan\u2019s renewable energy projects, grid modernisation and energy logging initiatives.
\nThe PM extended a personal invitation to Austrian business leaders to visit Pakistan, promising to showcase investment opportunities and the country\u2019s scenic treasures, from snow-capped mountains to vibrant cultural hubs.
\nThe prime minister said both countries shared a longstanding friendship grounded in historical ties and decades of Austrian business engagement in Pakistan, particularly in areas such as cable car installations, minerals and renewable energy technology.
\n\u201cAlthough the level of economic activity in recent years has declined for a variety of reasons, Austrian firms have made impactful contributions in Pakistan,\u201d he said.
\nThe premier noted that discussions with the Austrian Federal Chancellor had been very warm, fruitful and productive, where both leaders agreed to follow up the meetings to take discussions to their logical conclusion.
\nHe said approximately 60% of the country\u2019s 240 million population was young and ready to contribute to global technological and industrial value chains.
\n\u201cWe are working to equip our youth with modern training \u2014 laptops, AI skills, IT-led education, vocational and technical training are being rolled out at the federal and provincial levels,\u201d he said, stressing Pakistan\u2019s readiness to supply internationally certified skilled labor to European markets in response to demand.
\nThe prime minister also announced Pakistan\u2019s intention to host the EU-Pakistan Business Forum in Islamabad at the end of April, with participation from Austrian companies expected to further solidify economic collaboration between the two nations.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
PM says Islamabad to host EU-Pak Business Forum in April, invites Austrian investors to explore opportunities Vienna Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday said that Pakistan was working with European partners to curb illegal immigration. The premier made the remarks while addressing the Pakistan-Austria Business Forum in Vienna, where he arrived on Sunday for a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":531701,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-531681","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-top-news"},"yoast_head":"\n