Pakistan keen to strengthen trade ties with EU, FM tells envoys

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has said that Pakistan desires to further strengthen trade and economic relations with the European countries.

The foreign minister said this while talking to the envoys of European countries on Thursday.

He said that there are great opportunities for investment in Pakistan, adding that there has been a significant increase in the investment portfolio from European companies despite Covid-19 as well as bilateral trade.

Qureshi said a plan is being prepared in order to make the joint economic commissioners with the European countries more vibrant and effective.

“We are providing every possible facilitation to the entrepreneurs from Europe,” he said, adding that both sides need to evolve a joint strategy to remove hurdles in the way of bilateral trade as institutional cooperation is a must to further strengthen bilateral relationships.

Referring to the Roshan Digital Account, he said expatriate Pakistanis have sent $500 million to Pakistan through the initiative in the last few months.

Separately, Qureshi expressed satisfaction over the Norwegian investment in Pakistan during a telephone conversation with his Norwegian counterpart, Ine Eriksen Søreide, in a conversation related to the growing business relations between Pakistan and Norway.

The two foreign ministers also exchanged views on enhancing cooperation in diverse sectors such as trade, investment and clean energy.

The Norwegian foreign minister appreciated Pakistan’s role in facilitating the signing of a solar power project between Scatec and Nizam Energy. She also lauded the role of Norwegians of Pakistani origin in Norway’s economic development.

 

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