Pak keen to enhance trade ties with Algeria: Mamnoon

ISLAMABAD: President Mamnoon Hussain on Tuesday said Pakistan is keen to enhance relations with Algeria in all areasparticularly trade. Talking to the outgoing ambassador of Algeria, Dr. Ahmed Benflis here at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, the President said the existing volume of trade did not commensurate with the potential of Pakistan and Algeria. The President expressed desire that high-level exchanges between the two countries would be instrumental in further boosting bilateral relations. He said Pakistan is a business friendly destination and offered good opportunities to foreign investors, adding that Pakistan will welcome Algerian investment in telecom, engineering and power generation. The President said Pakistan was ready to enter into joint ventures with Algeria in oil and gas exploration and setting up a fertilizer plant in Algeria. Discussing Pakistan-Algeria bilateral relations with the outgoing ambassador of Algeria, the President said that Pakistan greatly values its friendship with Algeria which is based on commonality of views on regional and global matters of mutual interest. The President lauded the services of Dr. Ahmed Benflis in bringing Pakistan and Algeria further closer during his stay in Pakistan. He wished the outgoing envoy good luck and success in his future life and assignments. Dr. Ahmed Benflis thanked the President and government of Pakistan for the support he was extended during his stay as ambassador to Pakistan.