Daily Times

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan and Mauritius while noting the importance of economy and trade in boosting bilateral ties agreed to upgrade the existing Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) to a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) at an early date.

A statement from the Foreign Office on Tuesday said that the decision came at the delegation level meeting between the two sides during the four-day visit of Mauritius President Ameenah Gurib-Fakim to Pakistan. The two countries inked the PTA on July 30, 2007.

Pakistan was the first country to have inked the PTA with Mauritius as it has a huge potential for Pakistani products and serves as gateway for the entire African region. During the talks the two sides also reviewed the current status of bilateral relations and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening of the cooperative ties, with particular focus on economy and trade.

The Mauritius president informed President Mamnoon Hussain about the desire of Mauritius to deepen relations with Pakistan which was considered as an important country. She said that her government would arrange a “Pakistan week” to mark the forthcoming Independence Day of Pakistan in Mauritius with a view to increase people to people contacts.

The president urged Pakistan side to take advantage of the strategic location of Mauritius as a gateway to African continent, which was exhibiting a great developmental potential. Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms Ahsan Iqbal and Special Assistant on Foreign Affairs Syed Tariq Fatemi paid separate calls on the Mauritius president and discussed ways to enhance ties in different fields.