ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif Wednesday said Pakistan and Belarus were establishing a strong footing to promote trade, business and investment, adding that it would provide a solid basis for enhancing their multi-dimensional relations.
The Prime Minister made the remarks at a round of delegation-level talks with President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko here at the PM House.
The President of Belarus is on a three-day official visit to Pakistan.
Prime Minister welcomed the delegation and said Pakistan values its relations with Belarus and said the two countries enjoy a warm, cordial and multi-faceted relationship.
“Pakistan is keen to forge closer ties with Belarus in all fields including trade, economy, investment, industry, education, defence, agriculture, culture and other areas,” the Prime Minister said.
Prime Minister Sharif said Pakistan today was one of the most investor friendly countries; offering excellent opportunities for foreign investors with investment-friendly regulations and a huge market of nearly 200 million people.
The Prime Minister said establishment of Joint Trade Committee was an important vehicle to identify bottlenecks and resolve issues in trade relations of both the countries. The Prime Minister noted that both the Joint Economic Commission and the Joint Trade Committee are actively pursuing these issues.
The Prime Minister informed the visiting President that his government was focused on reviving the economy, overcoming the energy shortage.
“We are committed to good governance, curbing corruption, ensuring fiscal discipline and widening the tax base to revive the economy to its true potential,” the Prime Minister said.
The Prime Minister said the momentum of increased high level exchanges between the two countries needs to be maintained.
President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko said Belarus has significant expertise in building of heavy machinery including automotive engineering, agricultural harvesting machinery, road construction machinery and dump trucks.
He said both sides can develop joint ventures and business-to-business contacts in these areas.
President Lukashenko said Belarus and Pakistan need to explore the possibility of creating joint ventures for the production and processing of wide range of agricultural products, including the production of milk powder, other dairy products, textiles, auto parts, surgical instruments, pharmaceuticals and other areas of mutual benefit.
The President of Belarus applauded Pakistan for making huge successes in the revival of economy.
The president supported Pakistan’s stance in nuclear supply group, a statement from the PM House said.
In the context of regional peace and stability, the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said Pakistan pursues the policy of maintaining good relations with all its neighbours.
He said Pakistan wants peaceful resolution of all outstanding issues with India, including the issue of Jammu and Kashmir.
“I want to thank you for your expression of support for peaceful resolution of Kashmir dispute,” the Prime Minister said.
The Prime Minister said India has deliberately escalated tensions at the LoC to divert attention of the international community from the grave situation in the Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
The Prime Minister informed the visiting President that over 110 innocent people have lost their lives, and more than 12000 injured, with hundreds in critical condition.
More than 700 people have suffered severe eye injuries due to the use of pellet guns by the Indian occupation forces and more than 150 have been permanently blinded, the Prime Minister said.
The Prime Minister later hosted a luncheon in honour of the President of Belarus and his delegation.
