ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan has urged Oman to expand the reach of its deep-water port and free zone by connecting it through Pakistan to Central Asia and China to enhance regional trade cooperation, Khan’s ministry said on Tuesday.
The statement came during Khan’s three-day official visit to Oman where he spent his first day in the industrial hub of Sohar to discuss bilateral trade, investment and industrial collaboration between the South Asian nation and the Middle Eastern state.
Pakistan aims to leverage its strategic geopolitical position to enhance its role as a key trade and transit hub connecting landlocked Central Asian republics with the rest of the world. In recent months, there has been a surge of visits, investment talks and economic activity involving Gulf and Middle Eastern nations.
During his visit to Sohar Port, the Pakistani commerce minister was given a detailed briefing on the port’s state-of-the-art facilities and its role as a major trade and logistics hub.
“He emphasized the potential for enhanced trade cooperation, particularly in expanding Sohar Port and Free Zone’s reach through Pakistan to Central Asia and China,” the Pakistani commerce ministry said in a statement, following Khan’s meeting with Omani officials.
Khan, who was accompanied by Pakistan’s ambassador to Oman Naveed Safdar Bokhari and other officials, was presented with an overview of the integrated free economic zone and industrial city, highlighting Sohar Port’s strategic role in handling 80 percent of Oman’s international trade and industrial activities.
The commerce minister urged joint ventures between Pakistani and Omani businesses during his meeting with industrialists and business leaders.
“The minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to boosting trade with Oman, particularly in the industrial and logistics sectors,” the commerce ministry said.
Later, Khan was taken on a city tour where he offered prayers at the iconic Sultan Qaboos Mosque in Sohar.
Last August, Islamabad invited Oman to invest in Pakistan’s agriculture, mineral and IT sectors through the Special Investment Facilitation Council, a Pakistani civil-military body aimed at attracting foreign investment.
The South Asian nation has been making efforts to boost foreign investment in order to reduce its reliance on foreign debt to support its fragile $350 billion economy. There has recently been a surge in economic engagements between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan and other nations.
Islamabad urges Oman to expand deep-water port’s reach to Pakistan to enhance regional trade
https://arab.news/vtqm6
Islamabad urges Oman to expand deep-water port’s reach to Pakistan to enhance regional trade
- The development comes during Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan’s official visit to Oman
- The minister reaffirms Pakistan’s commitment to boosting trade in industrial, logistics sectors
Pakistan to discuss regional issues, economic ties at UAE summit this week
- Deputy PM Ishaq Dar to attend Sir Bani Yas Forum from Dec. 12-14, says Pakistan foreign office
- Senior statemen, policymakers expected to discuss security and economic cooperation at summit
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar will attend the Sir Bani Yas Forum in the UAE from Dec. 12-14 to discuss regional issues with world leaders and explore economic partnerships, the foreign ministry said on Friday.
The three-day summit features senior statesmen, policymakers and global experts from around the world with discussions likely to revolve around key regional and international issues such as peace, security and economic cooperation.
Dar, who is also Pakistan’s foreign minister, attended the 15th edition of the Bani Yas Forum last year. He is attending this year’s summit at the invitation of his UAE counterpart, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the foreign office said.
“During the Forum, the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister will engage with international leaders and experts on matters related to regional stability, sustainable development, and the expansion of economic partnerships,” the statement said.
“He will also present Pakistan’s perspectives on promoting dialogue, addressing regional challenges, and fostering enhanced opportunities for economic cooperation.”
The Forum is expected to feature important discussions on Israel’s war in Gaza and the fragile ceasefire in the Middle East.
Pakistan has consistently criticized Israel for violating the ceasefire in Gaza and has called on the international community to intervene and ensure the fragile agreement does not collapse.
Islamabad has also been eyeing economic partnerships with regional allies, particularly Gulf countries, at such global summits in recent months.
It has entered into economic, defense, trade and investment agreements with traditional allies such as China, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar and Central Asian states in recent months.
