Hijjah 24, 1431, Nov 30, 2010, SPA -- Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani Monday said that Pakistan considers Sweden as an important partner bilaterally as well as in the context of EU and the Nordic region. An institutional arrangement in the shape of a Pakistan-Nordic Economic Cooperation Forum, he mentioned, could greatly facilitate to establish close linkage between the Scandinavian countries and Pakistan. The Prime Minister was talking to Ms Ewa Bjoring, Swedish Minister for Trade who called on him in the PM's House. Ms Ewa Bjoring is currently leading a delegation to Pakistan to look into opportunities to further boost economic ties with Pakistan. She would be inaugurating the new Tetrapak Plant near Kasur with an investment of Euro 123 Million. The Prime Minister proposed that the Board of Investment could send a delegation to the Nordic countries to apprise the investors about the prospects and possibilities of joint ventures in different fields. These initiatives, he expressed confidence, would give a new impetus to the business and trade relations. The Prime Minister appreciated Sweden's support to Pakistan for greater market access in EU for Pakistani goods, according to a report of the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP). Pakistan, he said, is looking forward to continuous support from Sweden in attaining the FTA status in future.
