Pakistani companies keen to invest in Iraq's construction sector

January 24, 2019: Special Assistant to the Prime Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, Syed Zulfiqar Abbas Bukhari, has said that Pakistani companies were interested to participate in development activities in Iraq by investing in its construction sector.

He expressed these views during a meeting with Iraqi Minister of Labour Dr Basam Al-Zaman Majeed Al-Rubaei, which was held in Baghdad, capital of Iraq, the other day, says a message received here on Thursday. 

Both dignitaries discussed ways and means to further strengthen bilateral cooperation for the benefit of the both states’ people.

"Pakistani companies keen to invest in the development projects of Iraq" the SAPM said and apprised his counterpart about the initiatives taken by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) led government to ensure ease of doing business in Pakistan for which the government was working out various measures to relax visa regime for Pakistani businessmen.

Zulfikar Bukhari further stressed the need for early finalization of the Memorandum of Understanding to meet Iraq's manpower demand and their capacity building needs.

To this, Iraq's Minister of Labour expressed his willingness to mutually work with the government of Pakistan for the purpose.

Earlier, Zulfikar Bukhari also met with Iraqi President Barham Salih at his office in Baghdad the other day and asked him that Pakistan sought an increase in export of Pakistani manpower to Iraq amid enhanced development activities.

Both sides agreed upon creating a mechanism to increase supply of Pakistani manpower to Iraq.

On the occasion, Zulfikar Bukhari said that the economic potential of Iraq could not be ignored. The economic prosperity in the country presented unprecedented opportunities for Pakistani workforce.

 “All the economic sectors in Iraq have the potential to see extraordinary growth in future and Pakistan has ample supply of manpower that can prove to be crucial for the development activities in Iraq,” he added.

The Special Assistant to PM also called on the leader of Al-Hikma party, Ammar Al-Hakim.

This was the first high level visit from Pakistan to Iraq since the formation of new governments in both countries.

(APP)