His Excellency Mr. Shujjat Ali Rathore, Ambassador of Pakistan in the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
By Roy Lie Atjam.
Pakistan Ambassador H.E. Shujjat Ali Rathore, along with Diplomat Magazine and Diplomatic Card, organized a superb Meet and Greet on Friday, 2 February at Hotel Carlton Ambassador, in The Hague.
It was an excellent opportunity for heads of missions, the business and governmental community to meet with the new Ambassador and his spouse.
For additional Kim Vermaat’s pictures, please open the following link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157665502202028
Among the attendees was a high number of diplomats and ambassadors of all the continents, to mention a few: The Nuncio, Ecuador, Mexico, Morocco, Cameroon, Bangladesh, Georgia, Saudi Arabia, Kazakhstan, USA, Australia, Armenia, Cuba, Kosovo, Algeria, Argentina and many others.
Ambassador Shujjat Ali Rathore’s welcome speech “Emerging Pakistan” was followed by an authentic Pakistan dinner composed of chicken tikka, palak gos, chicken biryani, chana and zarda.
By all means, there was a very joyous atmosphere, the video screened was fantastic and there was ample opportunity to renew old contacts and to make new acquaintances. Everyone had a good time.
A resume of Ambassador Shujjat Ali Rathore welcome address follows.
I am grateful to all of you for gracing this occasion with your presence.
I am especially thankful to my Commercial Wing, Diplomat Magazine and other stakeholders who participated in arranging this graceful event.
Excellencies and Friends!
Pakistan is blessed with diverse geographic strengths including 14 of the world’s highest peaks, one of the largest deserts, vast fertile plains, largest man-made irrigation system in the world, good quality infrastructure including deep-sea ports, motorways, robust housing sector; in industry and agriculture, it produces high quality products in textiles, leather, sports goods, and one of the top producers of important crops like wheat, cotton, rice sugarcane, exotic fruits like mangoes, citrus and much more. Its arts and culture is historically rich. Pakistan takes pride in leading the world in certain sports fields. Its people are creative, hardworking and one of the most philanthropic nations in the world.
Pakistan has made significant economic progress in the recent past and it has become one of the emerging markets in Asia.
Pakistan is trying successfully to turn its economy into a dynamic, vibrant, and integrated emerging market that is able to create sustainable jobs and prosperity for all.
Dear Friends,
Today we have made special arrangements to make you taste Pakistan rice and food.
We are the 4th largest producer of rice in the world. It is one of our major exports. We grow different varieties of rice but as you know, the most popular rice variety from Pakistan is its aromatic Super Basmati Rice. I can add many adjectives here, but I would rather want you to taste our rice and find out yourself.
Excellencies and Friends,
Pakistan has numerous attractive investment opportunities in the power, oil& gas, IT, infrastructure, consumer goods, Financial services and capital market sectors.
Many Dutch companies including Shell, Veon, Akzo Nobel, Nutricia and recently Friesland Campina have made considerable investments in Pakistan. This reflects the confidence of the Dutch investors in Pakistan’s economy. We urge all of you to explore the opportunities of doing business with the emerging Pakistan.
Our doors at the Embassy are always open to facilitate your contacts.
