Pakistan and Belarus on Tuesday agreed on fast tracking their relations by preparing a medium and long term roadmap to chart out future collaboration and identification of new areas of co-operation. Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, who is on a three-day visit to Belarus, in his meeting with the Prime Minister Andrei Kobyakov at the House of the Government, said there was wide scope for increasing interaction in many areas between the two countries.
He agreed with the proposal of Belarusian Prime Minister of tasking the Belarus, Pakistan Joint Economic Commission to prepare a road map by September. The Belarusian Prime Minister said he saw relations between the two countries move to a far higher level in one year's time, keeping in view the progress achieved so far. He said a solid foundation will provide opportunity to both the sides to boost economic, trade and commercial co-operation.
He called for preparing an intensive schedule for the Joint Economic Commission so that a solid package of proposals can be finalised for co-operation in agriculture and industrial sectors of Pakistan. He also offered his county's support to Pakistan in the infrastructure projects along the China Pakistan Economic Corridor. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said the bold initiative of President Alexander Lukashenko has fast tracked the ties between the two countries and in a matter of little over two months the two countries have made good progress.
The Prime Minister said the two countries share a commonality of views on various regional and international issues. He said the high-level exchanges were a positive sign and need to be continued. Referring to the agreements inked between the two countries during the visit of President Lukashenko to Pakistan and the ones inked in Minsk he said these have provided a solid framework for enhanced collaboration and strengthening of bilateral ties.
The Prime Minister also informed him about the challenges his government was facing and the measures taken to meet energy shortage and eradicate extremism. Referring to the scourge of terrorism, he said his government was committed to root it out and said the nation stands united in this regard. He said the military operation "Zarb-e-Azb" would continue till elimination of terrorism from the country.
He said the two countries have immense potential in economic and commercial relations. He said the trade volume of $60 million was not reflective of the true potential and can be substantially increased. Stressing the need to work together for strengthening of trade ties, he said the two countries can explore possibilities of joint ventures. He said Pakistan offers excellent opportunities for foreign investors and has investment-friendly regulations for a market of nearly 200 million people.
He said Pakistan not only provided cheap labour, but also offered great incentives for investment. He said Pakistan also was a gateway to the Middle East and a larger market for industrial goods. He invited the Belarusian investors to benefit from the incentives provided by the Government in the Special Economic Zones. The Prime Minister also expressed satisfaction over the outcome of the first Pakistan-Belarus meeting of the Joint Economic Commission (JEC) and Pakistan-Belarus Business Council and said it can prepare the ground work for building a strong foundation to expand co-operation in many new areas.
He said Pakistan was also desirous of stronger collaboration with Belarus in defence production. Earlier when the Prime Minister arrived at the House of Government, Prime Minister Andrei Kobyakov received him. A red carpet was rolled out and Static Guard presented him salute. Prime Minister Sharif's delegation includes Minister for Information and Broadcasting Pervaiz Rashid, Minister for Defence Production Rana Tanveer, Minister for National Food Security Sikandar Hayat Bosan, Minister for Commerce Engr Khurrum Dasgir and Special Assistant to PM on Foreign Affairs Syed Tariq Fatemi.
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