PM urges unlocking Africa trade potential

Meets envoys of Africa, Southeast Asian nations

ISLAMABAD:

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar, while acknowledging that Pakistan and Africa had enjoyed excellent political relations over the years, on Tuesday stressed the need to enhance trade and economic linkages which were yet to realise their full potential.

He also highlighted the importance Pakistan attached to Africa and expressed the desire to strengthen ties with African countries, at the bilateral as well as regional level.

The prime minister met a group of resident envoys representing African countries as well as a select Asian countries over lunch, the PM Office Media Wing said in a press release.

The meeting was attended by the ambassadors of Algeria and Sudan as well as High Commissioners of Bangladesh, Brunei, Malaysia, Mauritius, and South Africa. Other participants included the Charges d’Affaires of Ethiopia, Indonesia, Kenya, Nigeria, Somalia, Tunisia, and Zimbabwe.

The caretaker prime minster mentioned that the 4th Pakistan-Africa Trade Conference was underway in Cairo, Egypt from January 9-11 where Pakistan was represented by a large business delegation led by the commerce minister.

PM Kakar also expressed deep appreciation for Pakistan’s historic ties with the Southeast Asian countries, particularly Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia.

Read PM ensures undisturbed power for Karachi

He said Pakistan was keen to expand bilateral trade ties with the key countries and sought their assistance in strengthening its engagement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).

Referring to the ongoing situation in Gaza, the prime minister stressed the need for dialogue among nations and for intensifying collective efforts to end the violence and bring lasting peace in Palestine.

He also praised the diplomatic envoys for their efforts to build stronger ties with Pakistan and their respective countries.

PIA privatisation

The prime minister directed the authorities concerned to pace up the privatisation process of the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA).

In a meeting with his Adviser on Aviation Air Marshal (retd) Farhat Hussain, the prime minister emphasised ensuring transparency in the process of privatisation.

PM Kakar said privatization of state-owned enterprises was on priority for the government to save the national exchequer from further financial losses.

He said the country’s aviation industry had a high scope of growth through investment.
The prime minister also directed the out-sourcing of airport operations in a bid to ensure improvement of services.

The aviation adviser briefed PM Kakar about the matters of the ministry and the reform process.