ISLAMABAD:(Parliament Times) H. E. Madame Brigitta Blaha, Austrian Ambassador to Pakistan called on Sardar Masood Khan, President Azad Jammu and Kashmir today at the Presidency in Muzaffarabad.The President welcomed the Ambassador and her team to Azad Kashmir. President Azad Kashmir on the occasion said that both Pakistan and Austria enjoyed friendly diplomatic relations which through mutual efforts will be further strengthened.
President Azad Kashmir said that AJK and Pakistan are on the cusp of an economic revolution and he invited Austrian investors and entrepreneurs in exploring new avenues for investment, especially in energy and the tourism industry.The Austrian Ambassador said that steps are being taken to explore opportunities in enhancing people to people ties between the Austria and Pakistan in the fields of cultural and educational exchange programs, trade and other spheres of the socio-cultural corporation.
President Masood Khan AJK informed the Ambassador that Azad Kashmir having natural beauty has massive potential for a full-fledged tourism industry. He said that tourism in AJK is still in its embryonic state and with the backing of the government measures will be taken to encourage private investors in establishing quality motels, hotels, log huts, theme parks and organizing guided tours for visitors coming to AJK.
He added that plans are underway to construct a 200 km long tourism corridor passing through all the tourist sites and districts including Muzaffarabad, Sudhan Gali, Lasdana, Toli Peer, Banjosa and others. He said this corridor will have all the necessary infrastructure for attracting domestic and foreign tourists. Priority, he said, is being given to the development of the road network, which would facilitate tourist traffic.
