Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar has called for early operationalization of preferential trade‚ visa and customs agreements to bolster economic cooperation among the member countries of D-8.
She was addressing the meeting of D-8 Council of Ministers in Islamabad on Wednesday.
She said a mechanism should be evolved for greater interaction amongst the private sector of the D-8 countries to tap the true potential of economic cooperation.
She said consistent efforts need to be made to make the private sector catalyst of growth. Keeping in view the importance of the private sector‚ Pakistan has invited businessmen and exhibitors of the member countries to participate in the D-8 exhibition.
She hoped this will help forge business linkages between the member states.
She said the member countries should collectively make efforts to strengthen the secretariat of D-8 to truly serve the interests of peoples and achieve the objectives of the forum.
She said investment promotion agencies and trade bodies should regularly hold meetings to monitor the progress of economic cooperation.
The Foreign Minister said Pakistan offers lucrative investment opportunities to the foreign businessmen in the areas of energy‚ communication infrastructure and agriculture.
She said the D-8 Summit is being held at a time when the democratic government in Pakistan is about to complete its stipulated term.
She said democracy is essential to attain the objectives of development and welfare of the people.
Hina Rabbani Khar said Pakistan believes in stable and peaceful neighborhood to achieve regional prosperity.
She said Pakistan believes in an afghan led and afghan owned reconciliation process.
She said we are also engaged with India to resolve all the outstanding issues including the core issue of Jammu and Kashmir.
On the occasion‚ the foreign minister also strongly condemned the Israeli aggression on Palestinians.
Earlier‚ the Nigerian Foreign Minister handed over the Chairmanship of Council of Ministers to Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar.
He said that the D-8 forum has taken several steps for the promotion of intra-trade and economic ties during the last two years.
Nigerian Foreign Minister said a strong foundation of cooperation has been laid and hoped that this march towards greater economic integration will continue.
