Pakistan for boosting mutual trade with Asean countries: Mamnoon

ISLAMABAD: President Mamnoon Hussain said on Tuesday that Pakistan seeks Full Dialogue Partnership (FDP) with Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) as part of its efforts to establish a mutually beneficial relationship and to further Pakistan’s “Vision East Asia” policy which aims at strengthening political, trade and economic ties with Asean member states.

Exchanging views with envoys of Asean who called on him at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, the president said that Pakistan attaches great importance to its relations with Asean and enjoys friendly relations with all its member countries. He expressed Pakistan’s keenness to make its positive contribution after acquiring FDP status with Asean. He noted that Pakistan’s trade with Asean states was far below the potential and emphasised that there is ample scope to increase the trade manifold through concerted efforts. He urged that investors and businessmen from Asean states may take advantage of liberal investment policies offered by Pakistan and invest in the fields of energy and infrastructure. He further said that Pakistan also offers vast opportunities in tourism as there are several attractive tourist sites including remains of Gandhara civilisation which could be of interest to tourists from Asean countries.

President Mamnoon called for easing travel with a smooth visa regime to help promote tourism and business. He said that Pakistan seeks friendly relations with all its neighbours and is making sincere efforts for peace in Afghanistan adding that efforts of Quadrilateral Group will pave way for peace in Afghanistan to usher prosperity in the whole region. He said that the Zarb-e-Azb Operation has been successful and about 90% of the Tribal Areas have been cleared of the terrorists and criminal elements. He reaffirmed that the operation will continue till elimination of the last terrorist.

He said that China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a landmark project of the century, which is going to open up new avenues of investment and prosperity not just in Pakistan but the whole region. He noted that several Central Asian Republics (CARs) are evincing keen interest in connecting with CPEC to reap economic dividends.

The diplomats said that Asean welcomes with great interest Pakistan’s desire to become Full Dialogue Partners (FDP) and hoped that after the completion of due process, Pakistan’s application for FDP will be considered favourably. They appreciated Pakistan’s “Vision East Asia” and hoped that Pakistan’s trade and political ties with Asean members will grow further in the future. They thanked the president for a candid interaction with them and hoped that ties between Pakistan and Asean member states will further strengthen. Envoys from Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Vietnam and Indonesia were present during the meeting. Later, the President also hosted a lunch for Asean Ambassadors / High Commissioners.