Sartaj Aziz invites Bahrain to take advantages of business-friendly environment in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan has invited Bahrain to take benefit of improved business environment and invest in energy, infrastructure and agriculture sectors.

Advisor to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz extended the offer during the Pakistan-Bahrain Joint Ministerial Commission meeting on Monday, Radio Pakistan reported.

Later, talking to newsmen along with Foreign Minister of Bahrain Shaikh Khalid Bin Ahmad Al Khalifa, the Advisor said that Pakistan has become a more attractive country for investment with the improved security situation. He said that Pakistan was committed to protect and facilitate foreign investors by providing equal opportunities.

Aziz said that the CPEC will open new avenues of enhanced trade and economic activities in the country. He said that special economic zones are to be established along the routes of the CPEC and this will offer attractive incentives both to domestic and foreign investors. He said Bahraini companies and investors are welcomed to consider these opportunities.

He said the two countries have agreed to increase cooperation in energy, defence, agriculture and higher education.

They have also agreed for early activation of business council between federations of commerce of the two countries.

Minister for Foreign Affairs of Bahrain said that two memorandum of understanding (MoUs) were signed on cooperation in agriculture and diplomatic service training, adding that various MoUs were also in the pipeline.

He said there should be frequent interaction between Pakistan and Bahrain to forge collaboration in different fields. He said the two sides have good cooperation in defence, economy and political consultations.

The Minister said besides discussing further mutual collaboration they also discussed Pakistan-GCC cooperation.

Sartaj Aziz said that terrorism was a global menace and collective efforts were needed to eliminate it fully from the face of the earth. He said that Pakistan was ready to cooperate with Bahrain in extending its experience in counterterrorism.