KARACHI: “Pakistan and Switzerland enjoying strong cordial and friendly bilateral relationship and these ties are strengthening with the passage of time. In bilateral tourism new opportunities beneficial for both countries are yet to be explored. Many Swiss companies are successfully operating in Pakistan which showed excellent economic and commercial cooperation between two countries. Pakistan is a dynamic country of prudent and talented people. The country having a diversified economy has a great potential for progress and prosperity.”

This was stated by Emil Wyss, Consul General of Switzerland in a meeting held with delegation of TAAP at Swiss Consulate General at Karachi. Emil Wyss, Consul General of Switzerland while exchanging views with delegation of TAAP led by its Chairman Hanif Rinch appreciated the role of Travel Agents’ Association of Pakistan in promotion of aviation, travel and tourism activities in Pakistan and abroad.

He articulated that to cherish cordial bilateral relations between Pakistan and Switzerland which were established in 1949, the Swiss Consulate General in collaboration with Pak-Swiss Business Council has organised Pakistan-Switzerland Friendship Exhibition at Jinnah International Airport Karachi from May 29 for 100 days.

Pak-Swiss Friendship Exhibition aims at to celebrate the long, friendly bilateral relations between two countries, to promote positive image of Pakistan and to attract more foreign investment to the country.

He also sought TAAP’s cooperation to promote the exhibition and its objectives. He further assured TAAP his highest consideration and cooperation to explore travel and tourism opportunities between two countries.

Earlier, TAAP’s delegation headed by its Chairman Hanif Rinch accompanied by Yahya Polani, Chairman FPCCI Aviation Committee and former chairman TAAP, Nadeem Sharif, Chairman FPCCI Hajj and Umrah Committee and former chairman TAAP, Amin Wali Muhammad, Senior Vice Chairman FPCCI Foreign Affairs Committee, Syed Javaid Hassan, Senior Vice Chairman FPCCI Travel and Tourism Committee, Khadim Rasool, Secretary General TAAP visited Swiss Consulate on the invitation of Consul General to discuss the matters of mutual interest. Sharing views at this juncture, Chairman TAAP Hanif Rinch highlighted that immense opportunities of bilateral travel and tourism do exist which can easily be explored with exchange of delegation of stakeholders of tourism in both countries. Commercial and economic cooperation between two countries is outstanding, however, travel and tourism sector requires deserving attention from both sides.

Swiss products/brands, well known for their quality and performance, are popular in Pakistan. TAAP delegates lauded the Swiss Consul General for his optimistic views about Pakistan and its citizens. TAAP renewed the Swiss Consul General its assurances to support and promote Pakistan Switzerland Friendship Exhibition and its collaboration for such events in future.

They said that TAAP is steadfast to portray real and soft image of Pakistan in the eyes of countries worldwide and enterprising to explore new bilateral travel and tourism opportunities between Pakistan and friendly countries. TAAP is willing to join hands with its Swiss counterpart to explore tourism opportunities, business matchmaking, and exchange business/commercial information and delegations. TAAP and business community of Pakistan have high regards for Switzerland and are looking forward to have more strong, vibrant bilateral economic and commercial relationship.—PR