ECO Secretary, Rasheed discuss regional connectivity, trade liberalisation

ISLAMABAD: Secretary General of the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) Dr Hadi Soleimanpour has met Federal Railways’ Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed to discuss various topics including regional connectivity and trade liberalisation, ARY News reported on Wednesday.

The visiting dignitary and the federal minister exchanged views on matters relating to restoration of Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul container train.

Soleimanpour and Rasheed agreed to activate contacts between Pakistan, Iran and Turkey in order to resume the railroad project.

The ECO Secretary-General assured complete support to Pakistan on behalf of the organisation, said Pakistan Railways’ spokesperson.

He highlighted that services of the ECO Trade and Development Bank could be utilised for financial partnership by its member countries.

During the meeting, Sheikh Rasheed briefed Dr Soleimanpour on ongoing mega railroad projects including ML-2 and ML-3, as well as upgradation of Quetta-Taftan railway track.

Rasheed said that the Quetta-Taftan railway track project would be completed on build–operate–transfer (BOT) basis by the federal government.

The federal minister urged the ECO community to provide assistance in the promotion of the rail sector. He added that precedence will be given to foreign investments in different projects initiated by the Ministry of Railways.

Earlier in the day, Secretary-General of the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) Dr Hadi Soleimanpour arrived in Pakistan to kick off his four-day long inaugural visit.

The visiting official was warmly welcomed by the high ranking officials of the Foreign Office at Nur Khan Airbase.

Dr Soleimanpour is paying his first visit to Pakistan after assuming charge of secretary general of the economic inter-governmental organisation in August 2018.

Soleimanpour, Rasheed discuss regional connectivity, trade liberalisation