Pakistan aims to boost bilateral trade with Southeast Asian nations

January 10, 2024 (MLN): Pakistan is eager to enhance bilateral trade ties with Southeast Asian countries and is seeking their assistance in strengthening its engagement with ASEAN, the Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar stated during a meeting on Tuesday.

According to a press release issued on the day, the prime minister engaged in a meeting with a group of resident envoys representing African countries as well as selective Asian countries.

The meeting was attended by the Ambassadors of Algeria and Sudan as well as the High Commissioners of Bangladesh, Brunei, Malaysia, Mauritius, and South Africa.

Other participants included the Charge d’ Affaires of Ethiopia, Indonesia, Kenya, Nigeria, Somalia, Tunisia, and Zimbabwe.

The Prime Minister highlighted the importance Pakistan attached to Africa. He expressed the desire to strengthen ties with African countries, at the bilateral as well as regional level.

While acknowledging that Pakistan and Africa had enjoyed excellent political relations over the years, the Prime Minister stressed the need to enhance trade and economic linkages which had yet to realize their full potential.

He mentioned that the 4th Pakistan-Africa Trade Conference was underway in Cairo, Egypt from  January 09 to 11, 2024 where Pakistan was represented by a large business delegation led by the Commerce Minister.

The Prime Minister also expressed deep appreciation for Pakistan’s historic ties with Southeast Asian countries, particularly Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia.

He further praised the diplomatic envoys for their efforts to build stronger ties with Pakistan and their respective countries.

The diplomats thanked the Prime Minister for sparing time to interact with them and said they would continue to work closely with Pakistan to enhance bilateral relations.

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