Pakistani Premier to visit Yemen, Saudi Arabia

Islamabad, Dec 9 (UNI) Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz will undertake a two-nation visit to Yemen and Saudi Arabia from 10 to 15 December for talks with their leaders on a range of bilateral, regional and global issues.

''The visit is part of the government's endeavours for forge closer interaction with countries in the West Asian region,'' Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Tasneem Aslam said here ahead of the Prime Minister's visit.

During the Yemen visit, Mr Aziz will hold extensive talks with his Yemeni counterpart Ba Jamal and meet President Ali Abdullah Saleh. The talks will focus on expanding bilateral trade and economic cooperation between the two countries, she said.

The total trade volume between Pakistan and Yemen currently stands at around 60 million dollars, which is heavily in Islamabad's favour.

The two countries will also sign three cooperation agreements during the visit.

Mr Aziz's itinerary in Yemen will also include meetings with key Yemeni business leaders and prominent members of the Pakistani community living and working there.

In Saudi Arabia, the Prime Minister will hold all-encompassing meetings with the King and the Crown Prince, Ms Aslam said.

Apart from reviewing the entire gamut of bilateral relations, the leaders from both sides will exchange views on matters of regional and international importance.

The Prime Minister's visit to the Kingdom will specifically focus on further augmenting the mutually beneficial relations, in the trade, investment, energy, education, science&technology, and export of skilled manpower.

During his stay in Riyadh and Jeddah, the Prime Minister will meet with prominent Saudi business leaders and investors. He will also lay foundation stone of the new building complex of the Consulate General of Pakistan in Jeddah, and address the Pakistani community in the Kingdom.

Over 1.1 million Pakistani expatriates are currently working in Saudi Arabia and contributing to the progress and prosperity of the Kingdom, especially in sectors like services, infrastructure development, health, finance and education.

Bilateral trade between Pakistan and the Kingdom annually averages around 2.5 billion dollar, over two billion dollars of which constitute Pakistan's oil and oil-related imports, she said.

''Pakistan is well placed to offer more skilled and semi-skilled manpower to Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states,'' Ms Aslam added.

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