Commerce Minister Engineer Khurram Dastgir Khan on Tuesday called on the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz al Saud in Riyadh. The two leaders expressed satisfaction at the burgeoning co-operation between the two countries.
The Minister conveyed to the Saudi Crown Prince the greetings of the President and Prime Minister of Pakistan which were warmly reciprocated by the Crown Prince. He said that the Pakistani leadership desired to take the bilateral relationship to new heights in the 21st Century.
The Minister briefed the Crown Prince on the steps taken by Government of Pakistan for development of the country. He solicited further Saudi investment in energy, agriculture and infrastructure sectors in Pakistan. The Crown Prince expressed his unstinting support to Pakistan and its people.
Both sides also expressed appreciation of the role of Pakistani expatriate community in the progress and prosperity of the two countries, terming it an important element in bilateral relations. The two sides agreed that early conclusion of Pakistan-GCC Free Trade Agreement would go a long way in boosting economic co-operation between the two countries.
The meeting was also attended by Commerce Minister Dr Tawfiq bin Fawzan al Rabeea, Ambassador Muhammad Naeem Khan, Pakistan's Ambassador to the Kingdom and Azhar Chaudhry, Additional Secretary, Economic Affairs Division Pakistan. The Minister also held a meeting with Abdul Latif A. Al-Othman, Governor and Chairman of the Board of Directors Saudi Arabia General Investment Authority (SAGIA). The two sides agreed that early conclusion of Bilateral Investment Treaty would buttress economic co-operation and mutual investment in the two countries. The two sides discussed registration of Pakistani companies in the Kingdom. The Governor assured the Minister that SAGIA welcomed Pakistani investors and that it would continue to facilitate their investment ventures.-PR