FM stresses for boosting trade, economic ties amongst regional countries

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Tuesday stressed for bolstering trade and economic relations amongst the regional countries.

Addressing a ceremony in connection with Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Day in Islamabad, he said the goal could be achieved by improving connectivity through rail, roads, ports and use of latest technology.

Highlighting the significance of the ECO, Shah Mahmood Qureshi said the organisation gave great importance to the objectives of regional peace and development. He said efforts were required to enhance cooperation amongst the ECO countries at different levels.

He assured that Pakistan would continue to play its role to promote cooperation amongst the regional countries in order to achieve the sustainable development goals.

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In a statement in February this year, former deputy chairman planning commission Sartaj Aziz has said Pakistan was ready to expand mutually beneficial trade, economic cooperation and connectivity in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) region.

“Pakistan encourages trade and transit through its territory as it is upgrading infrastructure, roads, railways and ports,” he said.

He said country was open to become conduit for linking Eurasian landmass, China, Russia and Central Asia with the Arabian Sea.