ISLAMABAD, Oct 5 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, Wednesday emphasizing the need to fully tap the business potential between Pakistan and Belarus, urged to work towards enhancing the bilateral trade volume from existing $50 million to $1 billion in the next four years.
“We need to encourage joint ventures and business-to-business contacts in the areas of textiles, agricultural equipment and products, heavy machinery, pharmaceuticals and automotives,” the Prime Minister said in a one-on-one meeting with the President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko here at the PM House.
The Prime Minister emphasized that security situation in Pakistan had improved considerably, paving the way for increased economic and investment opportunities.
Welcoming the Belarusian President, the Prime Minister termed his visit “reflective of growing friendship and bilateral ties”.
” I am very pleased to note that our bilateral relationship is expanding in diverse areas. We need to maintain this momentum,” the Prime Minister said.
The Prime Minister congratulated the Belarusian President on the successful holding of parliamentary elections in Belarus last month.
He mentioned that Pakistan and Belarus had signed over 50 Agreements and MoUs in the last 16 months and hoped that both sides would sign more accords during this visit. The Prime Minister stressed to accelerate implementation of these Agreements and MoUs.
President Lukashenko thanked the Prime Minister for the warm welcomed extended to him and his delegation in Pakistan.
He appreciated the progress and development made in various sectors of Pakistan’s economy.
He congratulated the Prime Minister for the economic turn around and huge successes made in the fight against terrorism.
Alexander Lukashenko said Belarus was eager to enhance cooperation with Pakistan in diverse fields and sectors.
He stressed that Pakistan and Belarus needed to fully capitalise the huge potential for the benefit of their people.
APP/Hamza/mka/ VNS Islamabad
