Daily Times

Prime Minister’s advisor on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood, on Monday, celebrated the new chapter in Pakistan-Saudi relationship, calling Saudi investment in Pakistan significant for a positive trajectory of its growth and economy.

He remarked this in an address to the Pak-Saudi Business Conference in Islamabad. “Saudi Arabia is a partner of Pakistan in its journey of prosperity,” he continued. “Investment in mining and mineral development from Saudi investors will be highly appreciated.”

Dawood pointed out the progress on improving power shortages and infrastructure in the last few years and appreciated the Chinese government for its assistance in this regard. He then asserted that Pakistan was striving for a different kind of relationship with Saudi Arabia, “in a different direction and at a different level.” The Saudi investors and businesses were also promised all facilities in their ventures by the government.

Saudi Arabian commerce minister, Majid Al-Qassabi, also spoke on the occasion and called for an increase in the bilateral trade volume, which stands at $3.7 billion dollars. “Pak-Saudi relations are moving in a new and positive direction,” he maintained.

‘Pak-Saudi relations are moving in a new and positive direction’, says Saudi minister

Qassabi talked about the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman’s desire to turn this bilateral relationship into a strategic partnership, where Pakistan and Saudi Arabia would be partners in development.

“Our bilateral trade volume stands at $3.7 billion dollars with an increase in the last 15 years; however, this still needs improvement,” Majid Al-Qassa said.

He stressed on the need to attract investment from both countries by the right kind of marketing.

Published in Daily Times, February 19^th 2019.