Italian Minister for Agriculture and Forestry Policies, Giovanni Alemanno, who called on President General Pervez Musharraf on Wednesday, has said this. He was here in connection with Golden Jubilee K-2 celebrations.
Italy committed a financial assistance of 1.5 million Euro for the construction of Karakoram Park, the first-phase of which had already been completed, the Minister disclosed.
Italy also expressed willingness to help Pakistan in setting up a museum, a monument and an academy in the Northern Areas for bolstering tourism industry in the country.
The Italian Minister said the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the second highest peak of the world had created a very positive impression of the country for the foreign visitors. The participation of tourists in the celebrations proved that Pakistan had tremendous potential for foreign tourists, he said.
Four thousand Italian tourists visited Pakistan last year, he said adding that with enhanced bilateral co-operation in the field of tourism, the number would increase manifold in the years ahead.
After leading an Italian parliamentary delegation in the meeting with the President, he described his meeting very positive and constructive.
Alemnano said, "We discussed various projects during the meeting as a result of this meeting the co-operation and interaction between the people of Italy and Pakistan will further increase."
He said, "We have assured the President of our co-operation in the construction of the Karakoram Park, as its completion will definitely help Pakistan in pulling more tourists to the country for trekking and mountaineering."
Alemanno also informed the President that Italy would co-operate with Pakistan in the field of agriculture, especially in the dairy projects.
The President, in his remarks, said the government was boosting tourism industry in the country by offering more facilities and by ensuring a safe and secure environment.
He welcomed Italy's interest in the promotion of tourism in the country and said Pakistan had been blessed with some of the world's most attractive tourist sports.
Later, Minister for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rais Munir Ahmed said that President directed the Ministry to brief him in detail about the projects.
He said under the directive of the President, the Ministry reduced the royalty, previously charged from foreign mountaineers as an incentive to attract more trekkers into the country.
Munir said contrary to negative travel advisories, all foreign tourists had had a pleasant stay in Pakistan.
"We are already in contact with several countries to remove negative travel advisories- the UK has responded positively by starting Islamabad London weekly flights," he said.
Pakistan, he said, would continue the momentum gained during the K-2 celebrations and as directed by the President would strive to provide best facilities to visitors.
The eight-member Italian delegation also included mountaineer Silvio Mondinelli, who scaled K-2 on July 26.