Pakistan and Cambodia on Tuesday agreed to boost economic, trade and bilateral ties for the mutual benefit of the two countries and their people.
The decisions followed over an hour long talks between Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali and his Cambodian counterpart Samdech Hun Sen here at the Counsel of Ministers.
The two prime ministers signed a joint declaration while MoUs for the protection of investment and co-operation in combating terrorism and crimes were signed between the ministers for industries and the secretaries of interior.
Prime Minister Jamali described the contacts as "opening of a new phase in Pakistan Cambodia relations."
Talking to newsmen at the conclusion of the talks he said he was happy to visit Cambodia adding Pakistan has tried to move forward and to come and help those countries who need assistance.
Jamali said Pakistan offered Cambodia a $ 10 million buyers credit, which was accepted with gratitude and said these funds could be utilised by Cambodia to meet its needs.
Prime Minister said Pakistan would soon open a Consulate General in Phnom Phen which could later be upgraded to an embassy. He said Pakistan was interested in enhancing people to people contacts and agreed on liberalisation of visa regimes.
He said Pakistan was expanding and consolidating its ties with Asia. He said Pakistan offered training facilities to the Cambodian students in IT, military training, aviation, science and technology and at the foreign services academy.
Minister for Information Sheikh Rashid Ahmed later briefed newsmen and said the buyers credit facility will enable Cambodia to buy Pakistani products and services. He said Cambodia sought Pakistan's assistance in infrastructure development, construction of dams etc.
The Cambodian prime minister said these projects would be described as Pak-Cambodia friendship projects.
On Pakistan's offer Cambodia also accepted use of dubbed television and radio programmes, plays and documentaries for local consumption.
Prime Minister Jamali also invited his Cambodian prime minister to visit Pakistan who accepted the offer.
The talks focussed on enhancing co-operation between the two countries in diverse areas including measures to further enhance co-operation in different areas and agreed to enhance ties in diplomatic, economic and bilateral areas.
The joint declaration released at the end of talks said the two countries agreed to strengthen their consultation mechanism by holding regular high level visits between the foreign ministries of the two countries.
They agreed to build closer co-operation and to take measures to combat trans-national organised crimes, terrorism, smuggling, economic crimes, illegal weapon trade and other criminal activities.
Pakistan and Cambodia agreed to take steps to promote business, joint ventures, trade and investment for mutual development, besides greater collaboration between the private sectors in all fields. It was agreed that a joint business council be set up to promote business between the two countries.
There was an understanding to begin talks on preferential tariff arrangements leading to zero tariff and free trade in the long term.
The current trade between the two countries is only around $6 million. The two sides decided to explore avenues in fields of Information Technology and telecommunications.
Prime Minister Jamali's visit is being seen as laying down foundation for a long term relationship and defining a road map to take it up in all dimensions.
Political proximity was expressed by both the sides with their agreement to co-operate for peace and stability in South Asia and South East Asia. It was also agreed to upgrade the relations in all spheres with special focus on economic and commercial spheres.
The two sides also discussed the ongoing talks on the North Korea nuclear crisis. Pakistan said it supported the six party talks.
Prime Minister Jamali was accompanied by a delegation comprising Minister for Information Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, Minister for Petroleum Chaudhry Nouraiz Shakoor, Minister for Investment Abdul Hafeez Sheikh, Rai Muhammad Aslam Khan Kharal MNA, Secretary Foreign Affairs Riaz H. Khokhar, Pakistan's ambassador Mir Hussain Baksh Bangulzai, Secretary Interior Tasneem Noorani and senior officials.
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