Alvi urges Argentina, Australia to enhance trade with Pakistan

Envoys of both the countries pay farewell visit to presidency

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan offers unique geographical location and investment friendly regime for Argentinean businesses to explore, said President Dr Arif Alvi.

In a meeting with the outgoing Argentine Ambassador Ivan Ivanissevich who paid farewell call on President at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, the president underscored the need to enhance bilateral trade between the two countries, as it was not commensurate with its actual potential.

President congratulated the ambassador on successful completion of his tenure in Pakistan.

“Pakistan and Argentina enjoy friendly and cordial relation characterised by cooperation at international forums and shared perceptions and understanding on most major global and regional issues,” the president said. He urged to further strengthen this bilateral relationship for mutual benefit of the people of both the countries.

Dr Alvi underscored the need to enhance bilateral trade between the two countries, as it was not commensurate with its actual potential.

He said Pakistan’s unique geographical location and investment friendly regime offer good business avenues for Argentinean businesses to explore investment opportunities in Pakistan and benefit from the investment friendly policies of Pakistan in areas like oil and gas exploration, agriculture and energy, apart from the projects being developed along the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

He hoped that Argentina would extend its support for signing of a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) between Pakistan and MERCOSUR, Southern Common Market.

The Ambassador thanked the government and people of Pakistan for his pleasant stay in Pakistan and hoped that bilateral relations between the two countries would further strengthen in days to come.

Farewell to Adamson

President Alvi suggested increasing parliamentary exchanges between Pakistan and Australia.

In a meeting with outgoing Australian High Commissioner Margaret Adamson, Dr Alvi congratulated her on successful completion of tenure in Pakistan.

“Pakistan and Australia enjoy friendly and cordial relation and in recent years upsurge in bilateral relations need extra endeavour to further strengthening it for mutual benefit of the people of both the countries,” the President said.

He underscored the need for greater parliamentary exchanges between the two countries.

While referring to long-standing Kashmir issue, the president called upon its early resolution for regional peace and economic prosperity of the region.

The President also said that Pakistan fully supports peace efforts in Afghanistan and its rebuilding process.

Arif Alvi said that the bilateral trade between the two countries was not commensurate with its actual potential, therefore, he emphasised that both sides should take steps to further enhance their trade through its existing institutional mechanism.

The President also welcomed the joint ventures by Australian companies in sectors like agriculture, engineering, energy, Nano-bio-technology, paramedical, nursing and allied health.

The High Commissioner thanked the government and people of Pakistan for her pleasant stay in Pakistan.

She also appreciated the positive contribution by Pakistani Diaspora in Australia in various fields of life.

She said that Australia is ready to cooperate with Pakistan in various fields including health, agriculture, and education.

She also lauded the sacrifices by the Pakistan people in curbing the menace of terrorism in the country.  

Published in The Express Tribune, June 18^th, 2019.