LAHORE, March 31: A 25-member Austrian delegation will visit Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad during the first week of October, said UAE-based Austrian commercial counsellor Dr Nikolaus Seiwald here on Wednesday.

During a meeting with Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry vice-president Shahzad Ali Malik, the diplomat said that Pakistan was fast emerging as new market in the region. So several Vienna-based companies are taking keen interest to make their investment here particularly in fields of information technology, mechanical engineering and electronics.

Mr Seiwald said that Austrian companies would also hold a catalogue exhibitions in Pakistan later this year. "The Austria will soon appoint a local consultant to keep their companies abreast with the latest developments taking place in Pakistan."

The LCCI vice-president assured all-out help to boost Pakistan-Austrian trade ties. He invited the Austrian companies to take benefit from the trade opportunities in fields like oil and gas exploration, construction and textile sectors.

Eulogizing the strategic location of the two countries, Mr Malik said Austria could serve as one of the gateways for Pakistani business entrepreneurs to enter the Eastern flank of the European Union. -APP