ISLAMABAD — President of the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), Sardar Tahir Mehmood, met with H.E. Wolfgang Oliver Kutschera, the newly appointed Ambassador of Austria to Pakistan, to explore ways to deepen economic ties with Austria. He was joined by Zafar Bakhtawari, Secretary General of United Business Group (UBG), and Tahir Ayub, Senior Vice President ICCI.
Welcoming the Ambassador, Sardar Tahir Mehmood highlighted Pakistan’s vast potential in energy, infrastructure, real estate, clean technology, and tourism. He emphasized that Austrian companies, with their advanced expertise, could play a pivotal role in these sectors. He particularly stressed the importance of technology transfer, renewable energy solutions, and waste-to-energy projects—areas where Austria excels and Pakistan urgently needs innovation.
To further strengthen economic ties with Austria, the ICCI President invited Austrian business delegations to visit Pakistan. He assured them of ICCI’s full support in connecting with local industries, partners, and government authorities. He noted that increased business-to-business interaction would unlock new opportunities for sustainable collaboration.
The meeting also addressed educational and cultural cooperation. Discussions included scholarships, student exchange programs, and university partnerships to promote people-to-people ties. Sardar Tahir Mehmood emphasized the need for visa facilitation and streamlined consular processes to enhance bilateral engagement.
Ambassador Kutschera appreciated ICCI’s proactive role in promoting international partnerships. He expressed strong interest in exploring avenues of cooperation, especially in renewable energy, technology, and sustainable infrastructure development.
Reaffirming the commitment of Islamabad’s business community, Sardar Tahir Mehmood said ICCI remains united in its efforts to foster economic ties with Austria. He added that long-term partnerships can significantly contribute to Pakistan’s economic growth and regional prosperity.
