Diplomatic Forum organized an interactive session to promote bilateral trade between Pakistan and Italy with H.E. MS. ANNA RUFFINO, Consul, Consulate of Italy in Karachi on 18^th March 2019 at Sunset Club, DHA, Karachi in collaboration with Special Economic Zone Management Company, Investment Department, Government of Sindh. Mr. Abdul Azeem Uqaili, Chief Executive, SEZMC also consented to be the Guest of Honor for this ceremony. He promoted the SEZMC and other related projects of Investment Department, Government of Sindh. During his speech he said,

“The objective of SEZMC as body corporate is to facilitate domestic and foreign investors to invest in the manufacturing sector offering them special exemptions and incentives leading to reduced cost of doing business with efficient infrastructure through the development of Special Economic Zones under SEZ Act 2012 in Sindh.The SEZ Act 2012 was passed by the Parliament in 2012 and subsequent amendments were made therein in 2016 to make it more business friendly.

Incentives and Protections

• One time exemption from all customs duties and taxes for all capital goods imported into Pakistan.
• Exemption from all taxes on income generated from the development and operation of the SEZ for a period of ten years.

Sindh is the Pioneer in establishment of SEZs in the country. Pakistan’s first three Special Economic Zone have been established in Sindh and awarded SEZ status. It includes Khairpur Special Economic Zone, Bin Qasim Industrial Park and Korangi Creek Industrial Park. The proposed SEZs includes Marble City and Dhabeji Special Zone.”

Various eminent personalities took active part in the session including Mr. Muhammad Asif Haroon, Founder President, Diplomatic Forum for Socio Eeconomic Foundation, Commercial Consul of the Republic of the Gambia (Hon), Mr. Aarij Iqbal, President of Italian Development Committee, (The Italian Chamber in Pakistan), Honorable Mr. Iftikhar Ali Shallwani, Commissioner of Karachi, Mr. Hassan Bakhshi, Chairman, Association of Builders and Developers of Pakistan (ABAD), Brig. Tariq Khalil (Retd.), Economic / Defence and Strategic Analysis, Engr. M.A. Jabbar, Member Board of Governors, Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), Mr. Ibrahim Kasumbi, Former Senior Vice President, KCCI and other eminent personalities from the business committee.This interactive session was hosted by Mr. Mubeen A. Durrani, Founder Member & Head of Marketing & External Affairs, Skills Valley.

This interactive session facilitated local business community to interact with foreign diplomats and investors to explore and prospect business possibilities and favorable trade for the betterment of economy. During the session, participants discussed and shared their views about trade and how to boost import and export for the well-being of the both countries.

Many important topics like Investment opportunities on Pakistan and Italy, Statistics about the Trade, Bilateral relations between the two countries were discussed.

H.E. MS. ANNA RUFFINO, Consul, Consulate of Italy in Karachi in his speech appreciated Diplomatic Forum for its efforts to promote trade between the two countries.

In his speech, he said “First of all I would like to thanks all the panelists to discuss the potential areas of cooperation between Pakistan & Italy. I am very glad to be a part of this Interactive session. I believe Pakistan & Italy have strong bilateral relations from a long time. Italy’s foreign direct investment in Pakistan was 56.5 Million USD during July 2017 to June 2018. I would like to welcome all the attendees to visit Italy to see the possibilities of investments between the two countries.”

H.E. MS. ANNA RUFFINO, Consul, Consulate of Italy in Karachi and Mr. Aarij Iqbal, President, Italian Development Committee (The Italian Chamber in Pakistan) also discussed about the visa policies of Italy for the business community.

Mr. Muhammad Asif Haroon, Founder President, Diplomatic Forum for Socio Economic Foundation concluded the session by thanking all the distinguished guests and said,

“I am grateful to all the Managing Committee members & I would also like to appreciate to all Dignitary Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen for their presence and support for making this event a valuable one.

I hope that the session organized today was informative and will help in enhancing trade between Pakistan and Turkey. We will also be organizing sessions of similar kinds in the future.”