Pakistan, Qatar resolve to intensify cooperation

DOHA

Pakistan and Qatar have expressed their resolve to maintain strategic relationship and intensify cooperation in diverse fields especially trade and commerce‚ energy‚ agriculture‚ infrastructure and investment.

The understanding came during talks between President Asif Ali Zardari and Emir of QatarSheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani in Doha. The two leaders first had one-on-one meeting followed by delegation level talks in which the President was assisted by Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar‚ Advisor on Petroleum and Natural Resources Dr. Asim Hussain and Pakistan’s Ambassador to Qatar Sarfraz Ahmad Khanzada.

The two sides discussed in detail the current state of bilateral relations and agreed to upscale cooperation in various sectors to the mutual advantage.

President Asif Ali Zardari emphasized the need to increase the level of bilateral trade and hoped that the visit of the business delegations may give a boost to bilateral trade.

He said Pakistan would appreciate if Qatar extends support to our request for holding the third round of negotiations on Pak-Gulf Cooperation Council Free Trade Agreement. He urged Qatarto lobby with other GCC countries for early conclusion of the proposed FTA as it would further concretize the extraordinary ties between Pakistan and GCC countries.

The President said at present only three Qatari companies are operating in Pakistan and invited more Qatari companies to establish operations in Pakistan.

He said Pakistan would appreciate an early response on an MoU for Financial Assistance for Construction of National Highway and Motorway Infrastructure pending with your side.

He said Pakistan has a vibrant‚ stable and mature financial market and many foreign banks are doing good business in the country. Pakistan would welcome opening of Qatari Banks in the country. He said we believe that presence of Qatari banks in Pakistan would act as a catalyst for future bilateral economic cooperation.

The President said Pakistan is initiated a number of projects for meeting in energy requirement. It would welcome Qatar’s participation in the Neelum-Jehlum hydro power project. He expressed happiness that Qatar Gas has signed an agreement with two Pakistan based gas companies. He said Pakistan brought out one of the most generous incentives regime through vibrant petroleum exploration and production policy 2012. He invited Qatari Petroleum and Gas Companies to take advantage of the new policy and invest in Oil and Gas exploration and production sector.