Gilani's visit to Saudi Arabia to yield positive results: Baig

ISLAMABAD: Economist Mirza Ikhtiar Baig termed Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani's visit to Saudi Arabia as successful and would yield positive results for both countries.

Talking to a private news channel on Wednesday, he said PM visit to brotherly islamic country was imperative in changing world scenario as it yielded loud and clear message to the world that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia's bilateral relations are long lasting.

He said King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia mentioned in his meeting with prime minister that his country believes in multi-dimensional relations with Pakistan, meaning thereby that both the countries can enhance cooperation in all fields where they can do so.

He said prime minister's visit has great significance, during which, King Abdullah demonstrated extraordinary warmth for him.

Replying to a question, he said talks are underway between both the countries for supply of oil to Pakistan on the basis of deferred payment.

He said prime minister also held meeting with Pakistani major investors living in Saudi Arabia and briefed them about government's investors' friendly policies and invited them to make investment in Pakistan's energy, manufacturing, live stocks and fruits' sectors.

Mirza Ikhtiar Baig said Pakistan economically performed much better this year. "We received about 12 billions dollars foreign remittances, besides increase in exports, due to which our foreign reserves reached 18 billions dollars".

While mentioning government's achievement in energy sector, he said Pakistan added 1400MW electricity in national grid upto June, while more 2000 MW electricity will be added in national grid by the end of this year.

Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2011