Pakistan seeks market access for its commodities to Kazakhstan

ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi on Wednesday urged Kazakhstan to facilitate access of Pakistani commodities to its markets.

Talking to Kazakhstan Ambassador Barlybay Sadykov, who called on him in Islamabad today, Arif Alvi called for exploring possibilities to enhance trade and economic cooperation between Pakistan and Kazakhstan.

The president highlighted the need to explore possibilities of cooperation and joint ventures in sectors like food processing, textile, machinery and equipment, construction and infrastructure.

He said that given the abundance of oil and gas in Kazakhstan, Pakistan’s state-owned companies can explore and invest in Kazakh oil and gas sector.

Dr Arif Alvi underscored the need for establishing air and land connectivity between the two countries as Pakistan could provide Kazakhstan the shortest route through the newly developed Gwadar port.

He appreciated the principled position taken by Kazakhstan for non-discriminatory expansion of the Nuclear Suppliers Group’s membership.

The President underlined that Pakistan was extending e-visa facilitation to 175 countries including Kazakhstan.

Earlier, President Dr Arif Alvi, on March 5, had said Pakistan offered immense potential of trade and investment in the country and a secure and friendly atmosphere for the investors.

Addressing the Annual Ambassadors’ Dinner hosted by Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Islamabad, the president had said Pakistan had sacrificed a lot to overcome the menace of terrorism.

The President had requested the diplomats to go to their countries to lure their investors to Pakistan citing its attractive geo-strategic location, business friendly policies and potential for tourism industry.