RAWALPINDI, Aug 4: Italian minister for agriculture and forestry, Giovanni Alemanno, said on Wednesday that his country would assist Pakistan in a number of projects including the Karakoram Central Park to promote tourism in the country.
The Italian minister said this at a joint press conference with Minister of State for Sports, Culture and Tourism, Rais Munir Ahmad, here Wednesday. Mr Alemanno, who earlier called on President Gen Pervez Musharraf and expressed solidarity with Pakistan in the fight against terrorism, said flights from Islamabad to Rome would soon resume.
"We have identified certain areas in the North to work on in collaboration with the concerned authorities," he added. The ministries of Northern Areas, environment, sports and agriculture have signed memorandum of understandings with Italian agriculture ministry to launch joint ventures in Pakistan, he said.
"Italy is keen to help Pakistan develop tourism industry and its economy," Mr Alemanno said. To a question, the Italian minister said he had a very fruitful discussion with President Musharraf and exchanged views on mutual interests.
He commended the president's resolve to eradicate terrorism from the country. He thanked the government of Pakistan for issuing K-2 commemorative postal stamps in connection with its first ascent and the arrangements for the golden jubilee celebrations.
Rais Munir said, the Rs50 million grant recently announced by the prime minister would accelerate tourism activity in the country. On security, the sports minister said the government had chalked out elaborate plans to protect foreigners coming to Pakistan.
The Italian minister, leading an Italian parliamentary delegation, earlier called on President Gen Pervez Musharraf in the day. Mr Alemanno, who is in Pakistan in connection with the golden jubilee celebrations of the first ascent of K-2, said Pakistan offered very attractive mountaineering and other tourist sites for European visitors.
Italy has also expressed willingness to help Pakistan in setting up a museum, a monument and an academy for bolstering tourism in the Northern Areas. Italy has committed a financial assistance of 1.5 million euros for the construction of Karakoram Central Park, the first-phase of which has already been completed, the minister said. He described his meeting with the president very positive and constructive. -APP
