News
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Zardari calls for expansion in trade with Saudi Arabia* President says there is huge potential of trade and economic activities between two countries
ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Tuesday stressed the need for strengthening economic and trade ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
The president said that there was huge potential of trade and economic activities between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
He said that for tapping this enormous potential it was important that the existing mechanisms such as Joint Ministerial Commission and the Joint Business Council were fully utilised.
He said this during his meeting with Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Prince Abdul Aziz Bin Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz at the Presidency.
Prince Abdul Aziz Bin Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz was accompanied by Dr Abdul Aziz bin Ibrahim Al-Ghadeer, Saudi ambassador to Pakistan, Faisal Hashmim, assistant deputy minister for economic affairs, and other officials.
Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar, Interior Minister Rehman Malik, Petroleum Minister Dr Asim Hussain and other senior officials were also present from the Pakistani side.
He said that the people of Pakistan had special feelings for the Saudi brethren and highly regarded and appreciated Saudi brethren’s support at every hour of distress, may that be 2005 earthquake or any other natural calamity.
He said that with their existing relations, there was a need to focus on further strengthening and enhancing economic and trade ties between the two countries.
He said that Pakistan attached great importance to early finalisation of Pakistan-GCC Free Trade Agreement and “we would greatly appreciate Saudi Arabia’s invaluable support in this regard”.
The Saudi envoy thanked the president for the meeting and also expressed concerns on behalf of the king, the government and people of Saudi Arabia over the tragedy in Siachen.
Separately, talking to the delegation at the Prime Minister’s House, Gilani said that a delegation of Pakistani businessmen would visit Saudi Arabia soon to explore new vistas to enhance trade relations between the two countries.
Both the sides were of the view that the settlement leading to peace and stability in Afghanistan was vital for the region.
Separately, Prince Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah and Hina Rabbani Khar discussed bilateral relations as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest.
The Saudi minister expressed happiness at visiting his ‘second home’. He thanked the foreign minister for extending him an invitation and stated that his visit would further strengthen and deepen the special relationship between the two countries.
Rehman Malik said Pakistan and Saudi Arabia would continue to work jointly on every platform for harmony, unity and progress as their people were tied in the eternal bond of friendship and brotherhood.
Talking to the visiting Saudi delegation, Malik thanked the Saudi government, especially King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz, for assistance for Pakistan after the 2005 earthquake and victims of 2010 and 2011 floods. app/staff report
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk