China visit: Gilani to attend key Hainan conference

Premier slated to meet counterparts of various countries on visit. PHOTO: PID/FILE

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani will fly off to China on Saturday in time for the Boao Forum for Asia annual conference in Hainan Island. This year’s conference is titled “Asia in the Changing World: Moving Towards Sound and Sustainable Development”.

The Boao Forum is committed to promoting regional economic integration and bringing Asian countries closer to their development goals since its formal inauguration in 2001.

The forum meeting will also be attended by Iran’s Vice President Muhammad Javad Muhammadizadeh, Kazakhstan’s Prime Minister, Karim Masimov, Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti  and the Vice Premier of China, Li Keqiang.

Prime Minister Gilani will address the plenary session of the Forum on April 2 as one of the keynote speakers.

Gilani is slated to meet the Vice Premier of China on the sidelines of the forum to promote co-operation in the fields of economy, energy, infrastructure, defence and education.

The premier is also scheduled to meet his counterpart from Kazakhstan, Karim Masimov,  to review the progress regarding decisions taken during his visit to the country last year. The discussions are likely to focus on energy sector, TAPI, agriculture, aviation and defense sectors.

The prime minister’s meeting with Italian Prime Minister Monti will highlight bilateral relations, trade, science and technology.

The premier’s engagements in China include a meeting with the chairmen and corporate heads of leading Chinese financial, Investment, and energy sectors. The goal is to convince them that Pakistan offers the best destination for foreign investors.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 31^st, 2012.