Pakistan, Qatar agree on cooperation in energy, trade

DOHA: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani and his Qatari counterpart Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabar Al Thani on Monday agreed to collaborate in diverse areas, mainly energy and trade, for the mutual benefit of two countries.

Following exclusive and delegation level talks here at the Amiri Diwan - the office of Qatar's Prime Minister, the two leaders discussed the ways to further promote trade and investment ties in order to add substance to the bilateral relations.

The two sides discussed diverse issues, including joint development of hydropower sector, identification of sources of financing, exploration of investment opportunities in energy sector, rehabilitation of existing hydropower plants and construction of the National Highway and Motorway infrastructure.

Pointing out the issue of finalization of transnational formalities to import Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) at the earliest, Prime Minister Gilani said Pakistan was interested in importing 500 million cubic feet LNG per day from Qatar that produces 77 million tonnes per annum of LNG.

The imported LNG will be initially provided to the power houses in Pakistan to generate 2,500 mega watt electricity.

Gilani offered Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim to absorb Pakistani skilled and semi-skilled labour in Qatar and added that already 87,000 Pakistani expatriates were efficiently contributing to Qatar's economy.

He mentioned that more Pakistanis could effectively be part of Qatar's demand of two million work force for its infrastructure projects for FIFA 2022 World Cup to be held in Doha.

Prime Minister Gilani stressed the need for diversifying the trade potential between the two countries. He expressed satisfaction over the remittances from Qatar that increased to US$ 354 million in 2010 as compared to US$ 339.51 million in 2009.

Other matters that came under discussion included custom laws, collaboration between the Auqaf departments and cooperation in holding of exhibitions between two countries.

Gilani said Pakistan gave great importance to its relations with Qatar and wanted to explore new avenues of cooperation. He said Qatar was playing an important role in regional stability, including peace in Afghanistan.

He also expressed satisfaction over the security and defence cooperation between the two countries.

The meeting was attended by Minister for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar and Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Dr Asim Hussain, Minister for Technical and Vocational Education Riaz Hussain Pirzada and Member of the National Assembly Muneer Aurakzai.

Earlier, a guard of honour ceremony was held on the arrival of Prime Minister Gilani at the Amiri Diwan.

Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2012