Pakistan, Tajikistan aim for $500m bilateral trade

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani President Mamnoon Hussain and his Tajik counterpart Emomali Rahmon on Tuesday pledged to step up efforts to increase bilateral trade to $500 million.
“The establishment of air, road and rail links is crucial for enhancing bilateral trade and people-to-people contact between the two countries,” said Hussain, who is in Tajikistan at Rahmon’s invitation.
Pakistan’s president “highlighted the importance of deepening engagement with Tajikistan in counter-narcotics and combating terrorism for regional peace and stability,” his office said.
Rahmon “reaffirmed Tajikistan’s desire to further intensify bilateral cooperation in all fields, terming Pakistan a key partner in the region,” Hussain’s office added. “It was agreed to further consolidate bilateral relations in all areas of mutual importance.”
The two leaders signed a joint declaration titled “Strengthening the Road to Strategic Partnership for Regional Integration.”