President Asif Ali Zardari, on Tuesday, called upon the central Asian states to focus on improving bilateral economic and commercial relations by organising business forums and launching joint ventures in various areas of mutual interest.
“We need to gear up the implantation of decisions taken on the platform of Joint Economic Forum,” said the president while talking to the members of a delegation comprising of ambassadors from central Asian countries who called on him at the Aiwan-e-Sadr.
The delegation included Afghan Ambassador Mohammad Umer Daudzai, Ambassador of Azerbaijan Dashgin Mazi Oglu Shikarv, Kazakh Ambassador Bakhitbek Shabarbayed, Kyrgyz Ambassador Orozov Alik Karybaevich, Tajik Ambassador Zbaydullo Zubaydov, Turkmen Ambassador Berdiniyazov Sapar and Uzbek Ambassador Oybek A Usmanov.
Defence Minister Ahmed Mukhtar, Water and Power Minister Syed Naveed Qamar, Petroleum Minister Dr Asim Hussain, Senator Babar Awan, Spokesperson to the President Farhatullah Babar and other senior officials were also present.
Briefing the reporters, Babar said matters concerning mutual relations, peace and stability of the region, need for evolving regional solutions for the regional problems, promoting connectivity in the region and encouraging trade and economic activities were discussed during the meeting.
Babar said the president emphasised upon the need of taking advantage of the geographical proximity and forging a mutual partnership that could provide solution to the present issues confronting the states of the region. He said all countries in the region have a rich cultural heritage needed to be shared and passed on to the next generation.
He said peace and stability in Afghanistan was important and that Pakistan supported every effort intended towards peace and stability of Afghanistan. For economic development, he said, regional integration and utilising all available trade avenues including the transit trade agreements to promote mutual trade and boost business activities should be focused.
He said by improving connectivity and modes of communications, the countries of the region could enhance their trade and economic activities significantly.
He said that Pakistan, due to its geo-strategic location, offers shortest access to Afghanistan and Central Asian countries at Gwadar and Karachi seaports. Matters concerning further extending mutual cooperation in training programs for bankers, diplomats, business professionals, armed forces and law enforcing personnel were also discussed during the meeting.
Later the ambassadors attended Iftar-Dinner hosted by the president.
