*Shahbaz says both countries should promote trade cooperation
There are historical brotherly relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan and Pakistan is following the policy of peaceful relations with its neighbouring countries, said Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif in a meeting with a high level Afghan delegation led by Finance Minister Omar Zakhilwal on Thursday. Matters of mutual interest, Pak-Afghan relations and promotion of bilateral trade and economic cooperation were discussed and it was agreed that serious efforts are needed for promoting cooperation between Pakistan and Afghanistan in trade and economic sectors.
Shahbaz said that Pakistan and Afghanistan are the most important countries of the region and concrete measures are needed for promoting economic and trade cooperation between the two countries. He said that there should be maximum exchange of delegations between Pakistan and Afghanistan and mutual contacts should continue on permanent basis.
The chief minister said that Pakistan’s economy has strengthened due to positive economic policies of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government and both the countries should benefit from the existing opportunities. He said that contacts between chambers of commerce and industry can also play an important role in strengthening economic and trade ties. He said that businessmen of the two countries can play an important part in this regard and the Punjab government is ready to extend all out cooperation for this purpose. He said that peace in the region is of vital importance for the progress and prosperity of the people of the two countries.
Afghan Finance Minister Omar Zakhilwal said that both the countries should set targets of economic development and move ahead. He said that trade contacts between the two countries should be promoted. He said that Lahore has made rapid progress under the leadership of Shahbaz Sharif and he was pleased to see the process of development.