Riyadh (Web Desk): Prime Minister Imran Khan has stressed the importance of engaging the private sector of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia to fortify the economic relationship.
Addressing Saudi-Pakistan Investment Forum in Riyadh on Monday, the premier hoped that the private sectors of the two countries would take full advantage of close and cordial bilateral relations to realize the untapped potential in the fields of trade, business and investment.
PM Imran emphasised that Pakistan offers a strong and large consumer market of over 220 million, with an ever-expanding middle class, the Padio Pakistan reported.
He highlighted the Pakistan government's liberal and investor-friendly policies.
The prime minister underlined that the government is committed to providing an enabling environment to strengthen the investor-friendly dispensation in the country.
He underlined that the geo-strategic position offers Pakistan distinctive opportunities to stimulate intra-region trade by building regional connectivity on modern lines.
To realise that potential, PM Imran underscored the historic shift in Pakistan's strategic focus from geo-politics to geo-economics.
“Pakistan has excellent relations with China and that there could be further economic dividends if the unresolved dispute of Jammu and Kashmir is peacefully resolved with India,” the premier said.
Reaffirming Pakistan's long-standing deep fraternal relations with Saudi Arabia, the Prime Minister Imran Khan underscored the reverence Pakistanis have for the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and gratitude for Saudi Arabia's abiding support to Pakistan at every juncture.
He said Pakistan will always stand with Saudi Arabia against any threat to its security, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Addressing the forum, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi focused on Pakistan's shift from geo-politics to geo-economics.
Adviser on Finance Shaukat Tarin highlighted economic resurgence of Pakistan. Minister for Energy Hammad Azhar outlined the vast opportunities in the energy, agriculture, livestock and other key sectors.
In his keynote address, Saudi Minister for Investment Eng. Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al-Falih underscored the longstanding and abiding ties between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan and reaffirmed the resolve to further deepen bilateral trade, investment and business links.