Economic cooperation, investment initiatives: Pakistan, Qatar agree to accelerate progress
Wire desk byline Sourced from Xinhua, Dawn, Arab News, Anadolu and Minute Mirror. Translated and abridged by the GSRRA Desk.
Pakistan and Qatar have agreed to activate the Pakistan–Qatar Joint Task Force to accelerate progress on economic cooperation and investment initiatives. It was decided that the task force will soon hold a virtual meeting to review proposals, strengthen coordination and facilitate greater private sector participation.
This proposal came under discussion in a virtual meeting between Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal and Dr Ahmad bin Mohammed Al-Sayed, Minister of State for Foreign Trade Affairs of Qatar, to discuss ways to further strengthen bilateral cooperation, food security coordination and investment opportunities between the two brotherly countries.
READ MORE: Qatar seeks stronger trade, business ties with Pakistan
During the meeting, both sides expressed satisfaction over the positive trajectory of Pakistan–Qatar relations and agreed to further expand economic engagement and cooperation between the two countries.
The Qatari minister emphasised the importance of encouraging greater interaction between the business communities of both countries to further strengthen economic ties.
A key focus of the discussion was enhancing Pakistan’s exports of rice and other food products to Qatar. Dr Ahmad bin Mohammed Al-Sayed highlighted that rice remains an important component of Qatar’s food security programme and national food strategy, and expressed interest in increasing imports from Pakistan.
Minister Jam Kamal Khan assured that Pakistan is taking steps to ensure its exporters remain competitive and responsive to the needs of the Qatari market, adding that new mechanisms are being introduced to facilitate improved pricing and supply arrangements.
Both sides agreed that relevant departments and officials will coordinate closely to facilitate direct engagement between Pakistani exporters and Qatari importers.
In addition to food supply cooperation, the two sides discussed investment opportunities in Pakistan, particularly in infrastructure, logistics and energy sectors. Projects such as Karachi Port expansion and other strategic initiatives were highlighted as potential areas for collaboration.
The Qatari side welcomed the proposals shared by Pakistan and indicated that relevant authorities, including the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), would review them.
During the discussion, Minister Jam Kamal Khan also expressed Pakistan’s concern over the evolving regional situation and conveyed solidarity with the leadership and people of Qatar.
He said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has also expressed serious concern over the situation in the region and emphasised the importance of maintaining stability, dialogue and peaceful resolution of issues.
The Commerce minister noted that Pakistan supports all diplomatic efforts aimed at de-escalation and regional peace, adding that the prime minister has been actively engaging with regional partners and friendly countries to encourage constructive dialogue and stability.
Jam Kamal Khan further reiterated that Pakistan stands ready to support Qatar, particularly in strengthening food supply chains and essential commodities during challenging circumstances.
Reference Link:- https://www.brecorder.com/news/40411432
Zamir Ahmed Awan is the founder and Chair of the Global Silk Route Research Alliance, a think tank in Islamabad. He studied engineering at Shanghai University in the 1980s, and years later he went back to China as Pakistan's science counsellor in Beijing, from 2010 until 2016, working on science and higher education cooperation between the two countries.…
