Prime Minister leaves to attend WEF moot

Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani Tuesday said he would discuss with world leaders the need for greater economic co-operation and measures for poverty alleviation in his meetings at the World Economic Forum moot in Switzerland.
Gilani who embarked on a four-day visit to Davos to represent Pakistan at the forum said the focus of his talks with the world leaders would be to solicit their support in encouraging development in the country and measures for poverty alleviation in the country.
Gilani has a heavy schedule of meetings with heads of governments and states, Chief Executive Officers of global companies and interaction with the media, on the sidelines of the annual event. When asked about his address at the special session on Pakistan and its neighbours, Gilani said Pakistan wishes to maintain good relations with all its neighbours.
"You have to wait to hear what I have to say," he said when asked about his views on relations with India that have grown sour following the Mumbai attacks. The prime minister left here with a small entourage comprising Minister for Commerce Amin Faheem, Minister for Privatisation Naveed Qamar and Minister of State for Economic Affairs Division Hina Rabbani Khar on a commercial flight of the national flag carrier.
The prime minister took the decision to fly by PIA, instead of using the special aircraft, to cut cost and save the national exchequer from excessive burden. The WEF moot is the first meeting between the heads of governments and states and global corporations in the wake of a serious economic crisis and will provide an opportunity to chart out a course of action to meet these challenges.
Gilani is likely to hold bilateral meetings with his British counterpart Gordon Brown and Russian prime minister Vladimir Putin. He will also participate in a meeting of Swiss-Pakistan Chamber of Commerce, besides a special meeting with the British and French foreign ministers, president of the World Bank and IMF. He was seen off at the airport by federal ministers and services chiefs.