President Asif Ali Zardari has said that Pakistan and Tajikistan need to work closely on infrastructure, energy and trans-regional economic cooperation projects.
During a meeting with Tajikistan Ambassador Zubaydullo N Zubaydov at the President’s House on Thursday, Zardari said that Pakistan attaches high importance to its fraternal relations with Tajikistan.
The two discussed bilateral relations and the progress on various mutual projects during the meeting. The president conveyed his thanks to President Emomali Rahmon for extending invitation to attend the Navroz festival in Dushanbe.
The president also urged to increase the volume of bilateral trade, which despite its positive trend was far below its potential. He said that Pakistani ports provide the shortest access to the Tajik goods and Pakistan was ready to provide Tajikistan access to Gwadar Port for international trade. He said the Afghanistan-Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement had added opportunities for trade linkages between the two countries. Zardari said Pakistan was willing to finalise a trilateral transit trade agreement to facilitate movement of goods to and from Tajikistan.
The president also underscored the need for the two countries to explore possibilities of preferential trade arrangements and to implement the ECO Trade Agreement (ECOTA).
The Tajik ambassador thanked the president for the meeting and said that Tajikistan was also eager to enhance multifaceted partnership with Pakistan for the mutual benefit of the two countries.
