Pakistan to host CARs trade summit: PM

Promote connectivity via road, rail links to boost trade

ISLAMABAD:

Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif on Monday said that Pakistan would soon host a summit for the leaders of the Central Asian Republics (CARs) to focus on connectivity through road and rail links to boost regional trade and investment.

In a meeting with a nine-member parliamentary delegation from Kazakhstan, led by the Chairman of the Lower House (Mazhilis) of the Parliament, Yerlan Koshanov, the PM underscored the need to establish and strengthen bilateral cooperation in the energy, transport, transit trade and logistics sectors. Welcoming the delegation, he highlighted the special nature of the Pakistan-Kazakhstan relations, deeply rooted in history, religion and culture. PM Sharif underscored that Pakistan is keen to further deepen cooperation with the CARs, particularly Kazakhstan.

Chairman Koshanov showed keen interest in bilateral trade and cooperation in connectivity, pharmaceuticals industry and surgical and sports goods.

“Our current bilateral trade is only $95 million, which is not commensurate with the huge trade potential between the two countries,” said the lower house chairman, adding that “bilateral trade could be easily doubled within a short span of time”.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 13^th, 2022.

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