Sweden offers ‘Greentech’ solutions to energy-starved Pakistan

A number of energy-generating companies from the public and private sector of Sweden are willing to offer ‘Greentech’ solutions to an energy-starved Pakistan.

Whilst talking to reporters at a seminar on ‘The Case for Swedish Greentech in Pakistan’, the Swedish Ambassador to Pakistan, Lars-Hjalmar Wide said he was overwhelmed by the great interest shown by participants in different Swedish energy-related technologies”

The Swedish envoy stated that the next step would be the arrival of Swedish businessmen in Pakistan to look for ways and means to jointly work with the local stakeholders in the energy sector.

The Swedish Ambassador said the main purpose of the seminar was to promote business-to-business cooperation between the two countries.

“Around 300 million Euros could be generated by energy oriented bilateral trade between Sweden and Pakistan”, he added.

The Ambassador added that the European Union (EU) was working on a five-year engagement plan for Pakistan to help the country on issues of ranging from trade relations to joint counter terrorism efforts.

The Swedish envoy added that the UN’s 27-nation regional block would send electoral observers to Pakistan to monitor transparency in the forthcoming general election, due in May.

Honorary Consul General of Sweden Bashir Ali Mohammad dubbed the Pak-Swedish potential joint ventures extremely helpful for Pakistan’s energy needs. He added that Sweden had the required expertise as well as finances to help Pakistan with the ongoing energy crisis. “The ball is in our court now, whether or not we avail this opportunity”, Mohammad said.

He said that Karachi provided natural potential for energy production using ‘Greentech’ technologies as it had a vast meat industry.

In her address, Charlotte Kalin of Chamber Trade Sweden (CTS) spoke about the new role of chambers of commerce and industries to make trade and development sustainable between the two countries.

She underlined various opportunities for promoting bilateral trade between the two countries and how CTS could facilitate Pakistani firms to find partners, customers and new markets in Sweden and Scandinavia.