Pakistan launches economic diplomacy initiative

Islamabad, Oct 7 (UNI) Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi launched the economic diplomacy initiative by holding a meeting with the heads of Chinese companies engaged in business/projects in Pakistan.

''The meeting was focused on undertaking increased investments and projects in Pakistan and pre-visit preparations for the President Asif Ali Zardari's forthcoming visit to China,'' foreign ministry spokesman Mohammad Sadiq said in a statement here today.

The Foreign Minister, while acknowledging the significant role played by the Chinese companies in Pakistan's national development, underscored the importance of corporate sector in further improving the economic and commercial content of the Pakistan-China fraternal relationship.

He said Pakistan and China had developed a comprehensive over-arching architecture for economic and project cooperation in various fields like trade, power generation, financial and banking sector, and exploration of natural resources.

Mr Qureshi emphasised the need to translate this framework into on-ground project implementation on fast-track basis. Qureshi also talked about his government's vision to broaden economic cooperation with China to bring it at par with the excellent political and security relations that exist between the two countries.

He said during his forthcoming visit to China, the President will hold meetings with the heads of Chinese companies and financial institutions and assured the Chinese companies of the fullest cooperation and facilitation by the Government to promote their businesses in Pakistan.

UNI XC ARB KP1048