ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani on Sunday to discuss bilateral trade, investment, and export of skilled labors to the Gulf country, as he arrived in Doha on a two-day visit to attend a UN conference on least developed countries (LDCs).
The conference, being held from March 5 to March 9, will consider steps for accelerating sustainable development in the least developed countries, helping them make progress on the road to prosperity.
World leaders at the conference will mobilize additional international support and action in favor of such countries and try to agree to a renewed partnership between LDCs and their development partners.
In an earlier Twitter post, PM Sharif said he would present Pakistan’s perspective on the socio-economic challenges faced by LDCs in Asia and Africa.
The premier is attending the conference on the Qatar emir’s invitation, a statement from Pakistan’s Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) confirmed.
“Discussions were held on strengthening bilateral cooperation and increasing the ways and means of investment from Qatar and the export of skilled labor to Qatar,” the PMO stated.
During talks, PM Sharif appreciated Qatar’s continuous support for Pakistan’s development projects and highlighted “vast opportunities” for increasing cooperation between the two countries.
Sheikh Al-Thani expressed keen interest in “increasing economic cooperation between Pakistan and Qatar,” the PMO said, adding that he also reiterated Qatar’s “firm commitment” and continued support for Pakistan’s development agenda.
“The Qatari emir appreciated Pakistani laborers’ efforts in Qatar’s development and praised the excellent performances of Pakistan’s security officials on the occasion of the successful holding of FIFA World Cup 2022, hosted by Qatar,” the PMO added.
The Pakistani foreign office earlier said Sharif would hold bilateral meetings and interactions with participating leaders and delegation heads on the sidelines of the conference in Doha.
“The Prime Minister’s participation in the Conference will signify Pakistan’s support and solidarity with the Least Developed Countries, in their quest for social progress and economic prosperity,” the foreign office said in a statement.
Pakistan has been playing a leading role at UN platforms to amplify the collective voice of the ‘Global South’ to promote sustainable development worldwide.