Pakistan, Bahrain sign six agreements to boost bilateral ties, investment

Prime minister stresses on regular joint ministerial commission meetings, pushes for free trade agreement.

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said on Tuesday that Pakistan and Bahrain enjoy close and cordial relations based on mutual trust and understanding, before the two countries signed six agreements to boost bilateral ties.

Nawaz said this while welcoming the King of Bahrain His Majesty at PM House Islamabad.

Pakistan on Tuesday signed six agreements with Bahrain hoping to draw investment from the oil-rich Gulf country as its King started a three day tour of Pakistan.

“We would welcome Bahraini investments in mega projects in the field of energy, downstream oil industry, port development, mining and minerals, infrastructure, banking and financial sectors”, prime minister Nawaz Sharif said as he welcomed the Bahrain’s ruler King Shaikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.

Nawaz also urged the need to enhance bilateral trade. “We would like Bahrain to increase its imports from Pakistan of high quality Basmati rice, Halal meat products, poultry, textiles and clothing, sports goods, surgical instruments, carpets, marble and cutlery. Cooperation in agriculture and food sectors would be mutually beneficial also.”

The prime minister stressed on the need for regular joint commission meetings, hoping it would provide a good platform to review bilateral economic and trade cooperation. “We would deeply appreciate Bahraini support for early finalisation of Gulf Cooperation Council- Pakistan Free Trade Agreement.”

Pakistan and Bahrain signed six documents at the PM House relating to bilateral ties and investment. Among these were the “establishment of joint ministerial commission for bilateral cooperation,” “agreement for the promotion and protection of investment” which were signed by Finance Ministers of both countries.

The “cooperation in food security” was signed by Pakistan’s minister for national food security and Bahrain’s foreign minister. An “air services agreement” was signed by Pakistan’s minister for planning and Bahrain’s minister for transport. The “cooperation between interior ministries” was signed by the interior ministers of both countries. An agreement on “cooperation in the fields of power and water” was signed by minister for water & power and Bahrain’s minister of state for electricity and water affairs.

King of Bahrain starts three day tour to Pakistan

Earlier, the King of Bahrain Sheikh Hamad bin Isa al Khalifa arrived in Islamabad this afternoon on a three-day official visit to Pakistan, Radio Pakistan reported on Tuesday.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif received Sheikh Hamad at the PAF Base Nur Khan. Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif, federal ministers and services chiefs were also present on the occasion.

A contingent from the three services presented guard of honour to the King.

The King of Bahrain was accompanied by a high-level delegation including members of the cabinet, government officials and important businessmen.

This is the first visit of the King of Bahrain to Pakistan in four decades.

During his stay, he will hold talks with President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on bilateral relations and matters of regional and international importance.

The two sides will explore ways to further strengthen cooperation particularly in trade and investment and will discuss ways to increase export of Pakistani manpower to Bahrain.