FM Qureshi leaves for Kenya on two-day visit

The minister will attend Engage Africa, Economic Diplomacy Conference along with a delegation of Pakistani businessmen

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi left for Kenya on Tuesday on a two-day visit to attend ‘Engage Africa, Economic Diplomacy Conference.’

Adviser to Prime Minister on Industries and Production Abdul Razak Dawood, who would lead the conference and a delegation of businessmen, would accompany FM Qureshi during the visit.

The foreign minister said that economic stability is essential for a free and independent foreign policy and an ‘economic diplomacy rule’ has been adopted under which Pakistan is taking part in this conference.



He stressed that Pakistan could not pay attention to Africa as much it deserved in the past however, “changing the strategy, we decided to focus on Africa.”

“The African continent is full of rich resources,” FM Qureshi said. “There are numerous trade and investment opportunities.”

Key African businessmen had also been invited that could expand Pakistan’s reach to Africa, increase trade and investment volume and enhance political and diplomatic relations.

“Kenya is the gateway to Africa with which we have a deep and long association,” FM Qureshi said. “I will also meet with President [Uhuru ] Kenyatta and foreign minister of Kenya,” adding that he would try to strengthen Pakistan’s relations with other African countries as well.

“I hope this conference will yield good results for Pakistan,” Qureshi added.

Last year in December, Pakistan decided to set up diplomatic missions in six African countries on an urgent basis in a bid to improve trade ties with them.

These countries included Djibouti, Angola, Rwanda, Uganda, Ghana and Ivory Coast.



Besides, Pakistan will also open commercial sections in Algeria, Ethiopia, Senegal, Nigeria and Kenya.

An Africa task force has been formed at the Foreign Office to implement the decisions made at the ‘Engage Africa Conference’ that was held in Islamabad.

Africa is the second-largest continent in the world, spreading over 20 per cent of the world landmass and a collective GDP of over $2.3 trillion. It offers an import market of around $500 billion. Pakistan currently has 15 resident missions in the African countries.