Geneva, Switzerland (GNP): Federal Minister for Board of Investment, Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh, held a productive meeting with Soren Toft, Chief Executive Officer of Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), at the company’s office in Geneva, Switzerland, to discuss potential investment opportunities and avenues for expanding MSC’s engagement with Pakistan.
During the meeting, the Federal Minister highlighted Pakistan’s strategic geographical location, its access to major regional markets and the potential of its seaports, including Karachi Port, Port Qasim and Gwadar, as gateways for international trade and maritime connectivity.
Soren Toft expressed keen interest in exploring investment opportunities in Pakistan and discussed the potential for expanding the company’s business engagement with the country. The Federal Minister welcomed MSC’s interest, noting that the company’s global scale, expertise and extensive maritime network could create significant opportunities for Pakistan’s shipping, logistics and trade sectors.
The Minister invited an MSC delegation to visit Pakistan to explore potential areas of cooperation and investment firsthand. The invitation was welcomed by MSC, which agreed to arrange a delegation visit, paving the way for further engagement and detailed discussions on potential projects and business opportunities.
The Federal Minister observed that engagement with a global shipping and logistics leader of MSC’s stature could be highly significant for Pakistan’s efforts to strengthen maritime infrastructure, improve trade connectivity and attract international investment. Potential areas of cooperation include port-related infrastructure, container handling, shipping and logistics services, warehousing, transshipment and integrated supply-chain solutions.
Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, is one of the world’s largest shipping and logistics companies. Founded in 1970, MSC operates a global network of approximately 1,000 vessels, serving over 520 ports across more than 155 countries, and accounts for around 21–22 percent of global container shipping capacity. Under the leadership of CEO Soren Toft, the company has established a major presence in international shipping, logistics and global trade.
The Federal Minister emphasized that Pakistan offers substantial opportunities for international maritime and logistics companies seeking to expand their regional footprint. He reiterated the Government’s commitment to facilitating foreign investors, strengthening investor confidence and translating international interest into concrete investment partnerships.
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The meeting marks an encouraging step towards enhanced engagement between Pakistan and one of the world’s leading shipping companies, with the proposed MSC delegation visit expected to provide an opportunity to advance discussions on potential investment and cooperation.
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
