Getting a visa for certain countries, especially when they don’t have an embassy, can be a hassle. If you want to go to Italy, we have good news for you.

Italy has commenced visa services from Lahore, with plans underway to extend similar facilities to other major cities in Pakistan, announced Augusto Palmeiri, the First Secretary of the Italian Embassy, during a session at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI).

Palmeiri highlighted that Lahore held special significance as it was the first city he visited in his official capacity as the embassy secretary. He emphasised the importance of strengthening ties between Italy and Pakistan, both in terms of general cooperation and business ventures.

While noting the symbolic significance of opening visa services in Lahore, he called it a signal of openness to visitors and business collaborations. He underscored the potential of elevating bilateral trade to new highs by setting an ambitious goal of $5 billion.

In efforts to deepen trade ties, he outlined plans for a step-by-step approach to encourage entrepreneurs to participate in fairs and exhibitions in Italy, inviting businessmen to engage in upcoming expos for networking and fostering B2B connections.

He also emphasized the significance of political cooperation through the signing of memoranda of understanding and trade agreements to facilitate growth.

The secretary talked about a recent productive meeting with the Board of Investment, where the potential for Italian investment in Pakistan was emphasized.

LCCI President Kashif Anwar lauded the initiatives taken by the Italian embassy, particularly the launch of visa services, as a significant step towards enhancing bilateral trade. He highlighted Italy’s importance as a trading partner for Pakistan, ranking eighth among the top exporting destinations.