ISLAMABAD: Pakistan-Mauritius Joint Working Group (JWG) here on Wednesday agreed to engage on project-based cooperation in the area of trade in services such as information and communication technology, health, education, tourism and logistic services.
A six-member Mauritian delegation led by Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Anund Neewoor attended the 9th session of JWG. The Pakistani delegation was led by the Additional Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, Shahid Rahim Sheikh. During the course of the deliberations the need for further consolidating the PTA was underlined.
The two sides have agreed to further deepen their collaboration in the field of higher education and Pakistan will facilitate the admission of Mauritian students for undergraduate and postgraduate programmes as well as professional degrees.
The JWG appreciated the collaboration between the Pakistan's Al-Shifa Eye Trust Hospital and Mauritius Eye Hospital. The Mauritian side acknowledged the contribution of Dr. Wajid Ali Khan and his team of eye specialists for performing complicated eye surgeries in Mauritius on charitable basis for the last three years.
It was also emphasized that concrete programmes should be put in place to create synergies between the business community of the two countries. The Mauritian side showed keen interest in establishing cooperation with light engineering industry as well as the handicraft sector of Pakistan.
Both the sides discussed the draft framework agreement for trade in services.
Mauritius and Pakistan have many cultural commonalities. in view of the fact that urdu language and Pakistan drama serials are largely appreciated by the Mauritians.
In the margin of the JWG, the leader of the Mauritian delegation and the Ministry of Culture, Pakistan signed Cultural Exchange Programme between Pakistan and Mauritius.
This programme aims at facilitating the exchange of folk art, music, crafts and cultural troupes.
It may be recalled that JWG was established in 2005 is a formal platform for structured dialogue between the government officials of the two countries with a view to promote trade and economic relations.
As a first priority, the JWG worked on a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA), which is operational since 2007.
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