Islamabad: Italian Ambassador to Pakistan Stefano Pontecorvo said on Wednesday that there was growing interest among the Italian business community to explore investment opportunities in Pakistan, especially in view of the new avenues opening up under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Pontecorvo, accompanied by Commercial Counsellor of the Italian Embassy Roberto Puddu, was talking to Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Sartaj Aziz. Aziz expressed his satisfaction at the recent 46% increase in trade between the two countries from $1.3 billion in 2015-16 to $2 billion in 2016-17.
The ambassador said heads of several large Italian companies had visited Pakistan in recent months and highlighted sectors like natural gas, LNG, automotive, agricultural machinery and textile machinery.
