DUSHANBE (Tajikistan): Pakistan and Tajikistan on Saturday agreed to strengthen their existing bilateral relations especially in trade, economy and energy sectors.
The talks were held in Dushanbe between Asif Ali Zardari and his Tajik counterpart Imamali Rahman. President Zardari said that Pakistan and Tajikistan are working to remove impediments to realize the true potential of bilateral trade.
The President was accompanied by Interior Minister Rehman Malik‚ Presidential spokesperson Senator Farhatullah Babar and Pakistan’s Ambassador to Tajikistan Amjad B. Sial.
He was speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the newly established branch of the National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) in Tajik capital Dushanbe.
President Zardari said that Pakistan’s economic relations with Tajikistan are steadily on the rise. Their trade has increased manifolds during the last three years but the two way trade is still much below the true potential.
He said the impediments in promotion of trade include lack of air‚ road and rail links as well as difficulties being faced by Pakistani businessmen in transit of their goods to Tajikistan.
The President hoped that the two countries would be able to take their economic relations to new heights and inauguration of the National Bank branch is a step in this direction.
The President said opening of the branch would certainly boost our economic relations and reinvigorate our political ties. He said ever increasing foreign investment reflects confidence of the international community in the on-going reforms process in Tajikistan.
Tajik President Emomali Rahmon said the establishment of National Bank Branch in Dushanbe it will further boost business contacts between the two countries.
He said, “We are determined to strengthen our bilateral relations in different areas including Banking.”
President Zardari during his stay in Dushanbe will also attend a quadrilateral summit with the leaders of Tajikistan‚ Iran and Afghanistan to discuss the Afghan situation and regional economic cooperation.
He would also attend the opening session of the fifth Regional Economic Cooperation Conference on Afghanistan.
Earlier‚ upon his arrival on a three-day visit to Tajikistan‚ the President was given a warm reception. He was received at the Dushanbe airport by Tajik Prime Minister Oqil Oqilov. President Zardari was given a salute by a smartly turned out contingent of Tajik armed forces as he alighted from his aircraft. Online
