Trade, education and health Pakistan, Mauritius agree to boost bilateral relations

Pakistan and Mauritius on Monday agreed to enhance relations in areas of trade, education and health between the two countries to further enhance bilateral cooperation. This was agreed upon during a one-on-one and delegation level meeting between President Mamnoon Hussain and the visiting President of Mauritius Dr Bibi Ameenah Firdaus Gurib Fakim at the Aiwan-e-Sadr who arrived on her maiden four-day official visit to the country on Sunday.
According to media office of the presidency, President Mamnoon Hussain, during the meeting, stated that Pakistan accords importance to its bilateral relations with Mauritius, which are decades old. He called for increasing economic and trade relations to further promote bilateral cooperation. The President noted that the trade volume between Pakistan and Mauritius is below potential and in this regard there should be a free trade agreement between the two countries so that bilateral trade could be bolstered.
He welcomed contacts at institutional level between the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry and Mauritius Chambers of Commerce and Industry. The President called for establishing direct air links between the two countries so that trade, tourism and people to people contacts could be further promoted. He noted with appreciation that Pakistan is playing an important role in the financial sector of Mauritius and a leading Pakistani bank has established three branches in Mauritius. "Furthermore, Pakistani doctors are also rendering free of cost humanitarian services in Mauritius," remarked the President.
The President welcomed training of students from Mauritius in Pakistani institutions in the fields of medicine, engineering and pharmacy. He said that Pakistan would continue to provide education and training facilities to Mauritius students and diplomats in future as well.
He said that Pakistan and Mauritius harbour similar views on many issues at international level and there is cultural affinity between the two countries. He also emphasised the need to increase people to people contact through exchanges of students, academics, businessmen and parliamentarians to further cement bilateral relations. President of Mauritius Dr Bibi Ameenah Firdaus Gurib Fakim suggested that 'Pakistan Week' should be celebrated in Mauritius to showcase Pakistani culture, society and Pakistani products.
The visiting dignitary thanked President Mamnoon Hussain for according warm welcome and also extended an invitation to visit Mauritius, which was accepted by the President of Pakistan. She also appreciated the excellence of Pakistani educational institutions, in particular the Hussain Ebrahim Jamal Research Institute of Chemistry.
The President also hosted a luncheon in honour of visiting dignitary and her delegation, which was attended, by President Azad Kashmir Sardar Muhammad Yaqoob Khan, Governor Punjab Rafique Rajwana, Minister of State Anusha Rahman, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi and high officials.
Earlier, President Mamnoon Hussain greeted the President of Mauritius upon her arrival at the Central Entrance of the Aiwan-e-Sadr. On the occasion, children clad in traditional dress presented bouquets to the visiting dignitary. A contingent of Pakistan Army presented Guard of Honour to President of Mauritius and national anthems of both countries were also played. Meanwhile, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs (SAPM), Syed Tariq Fatemi also called on the President Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, according to Foreign Office.
He extended a warm welcome to the President of Mauritius on her first ever visit to Pakistan, and expressed the confidence that her visit would help strengthen the relations between the two sides. The special assistant underlined the need for bolstering economic and trade relations between the two sides, and highlighted the numerous steps taken by the Government of Pakistan, resulting in an overall robust economic performance. He also emphasised the need for enhancing cooperation in the tourism sector, as well as for developing communication linkages between the two countries.
He also briefed the visiting President on Prime Minister's initiatives for regional peace and stability, and his strong commitment to maintaining cordial relations with all neighbouring countries.
President Gurib-Fakim thanked the government and people of Pakistan for according her a very warm welcome, and expressed the confidence that both countries would continue to explore new avenues for cooperation to further strengthen their bilateral relations. Other issues of bilateral and regional interest were also discussed in the meeting, which was held in a warm and cordial atmosphere.