Dzaferovic meets NA speaker: 'CPEC provides opportunity to become logistic, economic hub'

ISLAMABAD: National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser Thursday said the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has provided opportunity to Pakistan to become a logistic and economic hub for South Asia, Central and Western Asia, Middle East and Western China.

The National Assembly speaker expressed these views in a meeting with Chairman of Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Sefik Dzaferovic in Islamabad on Thursday. Matters relating to enhancing bilateral engagement and cooperation came under discussion.

Mentioning the immense economic opportunities created under the umbrella of CPEC, Asad Qaiser said that the CPEC had provided opportunity for Pakistan to become a logistic and economic hub for South Asia. He said that immense economic opportunities welcome foreign investors to take advantage of immense economic potential in Pakistan.

He said that Bosnian investors could invest in energy, manufacturing and trade sectors. He further remarked that trade between Pakistan and Bosnia did not commensurate the economic activities on both sides, for which measures needed to be initiated.

The speaker said that Pakistan shared religious, cultural and brotherly affinities with the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and relations between the two countries were manifested by mutual support at times of need. He said that political and parliamentary engagement between both the countries would further solidify the relations and open new vistas of mutual cooperation.

Referring to the establishment of Pakistan-Bosnia Parliamentary Friendship Group in the National Assembly, the speaker said that bilateral engagement at level of friendship groups would help explore new areas of mutual cooperation in diverse sectors. The speaker proposed a parliamentary moot in Islamabad to ponder upon areas of possible cooperation.

He said that Bosnian Mission in Islamabad and Pakistani Mission in Sarajevo could play an apt role in that regard. It was also agreed to frequent bilateral parliamentary exchanges. Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Sefik Dzaferovic said that the trade between Bosnia and Pakistan stood at Euros 4.5 million for which measures needed to be taken to improve the volume of trade and expand cooperation in various fields.

He said agreements signed between both the sides during his instant visit would soon be materialised and trade and economic cooperation would increase in every field. He expressed his gratitude to warm hospitality accorded to him during his visit to Islamabad.

He said that his country attached importance to its relations with Pakistan since Pakistan was one of the few countries to extend assistance to his country, after it came into being and later during the stabilisation process. He said that his country also strongly desired to cement its bilateral relations with Pakistan.

The Chairman Presidency agreed that the interaction between the parliamentarians would further pave the way for enhancing cooperation in diverse sectors. He said that Bosnia had been subjected to worst human crises in the past; however, due to concerted efforts of the consecutive governments and with the cooperation of the people, the country had been led on the path of progress.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020