Islamabad, 2 August 2024 (TDI): Swiss community felt the taste of home at an event organized by their embassy here on Thursday, and pledged to work for upholding the ideals of democracy, federalism, and pluralistic culture.
The event was arranged to celebrate the 733th National Day of the Swiss Confederation.
Addressing the ceremony, Ambassador of Switzerland to Pakistan Georg Steiner said that this special day commemorates the founding of the Swiss Confederation 733 years ago. Today, Switzerland is an innovative, modern and dynamic country. Its beauty, uniqueness, and diversity invite people to take a closer look and discover it.
With this in mind, the Swiss Embassy in Islamabad is delighted to celebrate this special day with Swiss and Pakistani guests and to also commemorate 75 years of diplomatic ties between Switzerland and Pakistan, he said. In the coming months and years, we will continue to focus on goal-oriented and effective cooperation in different areas of mutual importance, exploiting existing potential and exploring promising avenues, the ambassador added.
He said that there is a considerable number of Swiss companies in Pakistan that supply first-class products and services to customers and offer many high-quality employment opportunities. The envoy hoped that the business environment for these companies will be further strengthened for the benefit of all stakeholders.
He said that Switzerland will also step up efforts to encourage Swiss Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in establishing business ties with Pakistan. For this purpose, a Road Show on Pakistan will would be organized in Switzerland from 26 to 30 August under the guidance of Switzerland Global Enterprise and in close collaboration with the Embassy of Switzerland and the Swiss Business Council in Pakistan.
Georg Steiner further said that Switzerland’s innovative strength, entrepreneurial spirit, and stability have made it one of the most successful economies in the world. It owes this excellence not only to the large companies, but also to the countless SMEs that form the backbone of its economy. Their creativity and commitment are impressive and deserve recognition.
He added that Switzerland is a country of diversity. With four national languages and a rich cultural heritage, it shows that unity and diversity can go hand in hand. Its different regions and cultures all contribute to what makes Switzerland special. The ability to live together harmoniously and peacefully in a pluralistic society is a strength that must be nurtured and protected.
The ambassador said that direct democracy is another feature that highlights Switzerland’s commitment to citizen participation and inclusiveness. The opportunity to directly influence political decisions through initiatives and referendums and is a privilege that we cherish.
