President for stronger trade, defence ties with Bahrain

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari Thursday said enhanced trade and defence ties with Bahrain and expanded bilateral cooperation in labour and manpower would further strengthen ties between the two countries.

He was talking to Commander National Guards of Bahrain Lt. Gen. Sheikh Mohammad Bin Isa Bin Salman Al-Khalifa here at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, where they discussed Pak-Bahrain bilateral relations particularly defence cooperation and regional issues.

The President said Pakistan values its relations with brotherly country of Bahrain. He however noted that the existing bilateral trade between the two countries was well below the real potential and could be enhanced considerably with increased commercial and economic cooperation.

He urged regular meetings of the Pakistan-Bahrain Joint Economic Commission to boost bilateral trade and investment. He also invited Bahraini businessmen and investors to benefit from the attractive incentives packages Pakistan was offering to foreign investors in various fields.

Commenting on current situation in Middle East, the President reiterated that Pakistan desires peace, security and stability in Bahrain and in the whole of the Middle East.

The President also lauded the social and economic progress made by Bahrain under its leadership and said Pakistan wished continued prosperity and stability of Bahrain and its people.

The President said that a sizeable Pakistani community living and working in Bahrain was a manifestation of close bilateral ties between the two countries and noted that Pakistani community was positively contributing to the development of both the countries.

Lt. Gen. Sheikh Mohammad Bin Isa Bin Salman Al-Khalifa, Commander National Guards of Bahrain expressed the hope that the existing close cooperation between the two countries would continue to grow.

Ambassador of Bahrain to Pakistan Mohammad Ebrahim Mohammad Abdul Qadir accompanied the commander.

Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2011