Huge potential in bilateral ties

Govt enhancing contact with African countries, says foreign secretary.

ISLAMABAD:

Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry said that there is great potential for further promoting and strengthening Pakistan’s relations with African countries especially in the field of trade and commerce.

At a seminar organised by the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad to celebrate African day, Chaudhry said the present government had adopted a cooperative foreign policy in the region.

He said the main objective was to promote foreign relations through economic diplomacy. “Despite challenges, there is a great potential for mutually beneficial relations with African counties.”

He said African countries’ support to Pakistan had been instrumental in its success at various international forums. Pakistan has been the second largest contributor to the UN Peacekeeping Operations in Africa, he added.

According to Chaudhry, in terms of trade, the major challenge for the Pakistan is to produce exportable surplus and deal with the energy crisis. He said region-wise volume of bilateral trade with East Africa during 2012-13 stood at $1.267 billion.

The foreign secretary said despite the opportunities, business to business contacts had so far been below potential with African countries, adding that the government was focusing on enhancement of trade ties through exchange of high-level delegations and institutionalising relations.

Part of this included offers of training to African diplomats in the Foreign Service Academy and also scholarship offers under Pakistan Technical Assistance Programme.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 24^th, 2014.

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