A delegation of the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) led by President Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari visited the residence of H.E. Per Albert Ilsaas, Ambassador of Norway to Pakistan for lunch and discussed matters to further enhance cooperation between the two countries in business and investment fields.

Talking to the delegation, H.E. Per Albert Ilsaas, Ambassador of Norway said that his country wants to further enhance business relations with Pakistan as both countries have the potential to increase bilateral trade and do more business together. He said that supporting the business communities of both countries to engage in trade and economic relations is a key priority of his Embassy. He said that a Norwegian enterprise has already signed an agreement to invest in solar and hydropower generation in Pakistan. He said that Norway wants to further strengthen cooperation with Pakistan in many areas including investment, shipping, climate change, renewable energy, and higher education. He assured that his Embassy would cooperate with the business community in taking bilateral business relations to higher levels.

Speaking on the occasion, Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that Pakistan and Norway are enjoying cordial relations that should be transformed into thriving trade and economic relations. He said that the current level of bilateral trade is quite nominal given the actual potential of both countries. He said that Pakistan is facing energy problems and Norway should make more investments in Pakistan’s renewable and hydropower sectors to generate cheap energy. He said that the Embassy should cooperate in enhancing business linkages between the two countries. Faad Waheed, Senior Vice President ICCI highlighted the potential of cooperation in the blue economy between Pakistan and Norway that should be fully exploited.

Khalid Iqbal Malik, Group Leader ICCI said that Pakistan and Norway have the potential to enhance cooperation in the tourism sector and both should accelerate efforts to realize it.

Zafar Bakhtawari, former President ICCI and Secretary General UBG Pakistan said that Pakistan and Norway should cooperate in the seafood trade, IT, alternate energy, pharmaceutical sector, and others to strengthen their bilateral economic ties.

Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan former President ICCI, Fiazan Shehzad, Ms. Asma Malik, Ms. Halina, and others also spoke on the occasion and gave useful suggestions to strengthen bilateral trade and economic relations between Pakistan and Norway.