ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has invited Qatari investors to explore new avenues of collaboration under the government's Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) framework.
Talking to Qatar's Minister of Commerce and Industry Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal Al-Thani in Islamabad on Friday, the prime minister underscored the importance of enhancing bilateral trade and investment cooperation, emphasizing opportunities in energy, agriculture, food security, information technology, tourism and infrastructure development, said a report published by state-run Radio Pakistan.
‘Positive trajectory’
The prime minister expressed satisfaction at the positive trajectory of Pakistan-Qatar relations, anchored in shared faith, values, and mutual respect.
He also appreciated Qatar's role as an important partner and an influential regional mediator.
The prime minister conveyed Pakistan's deep appreciation for Qatar's consistent support on regional and global issues and reiterated Pakistan's desire to strengthen collaboration at regional and multilateral fora.
In his remarks, Qatar's Minister of Commerce and Industry conveyed warm greetings from the Qatari leadership and reaffirmed Qatar's commitment to further deepen economic engagement with Pakistan.
Joint Ministerial Commission
Qatar's Minister of Commerce and Industry Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal Al-Thani is in Pakistan to co-chair the 6th Session of Pakistan-Qatar Joint Ministerial Commission.
He noted that the 6th Session of the JMC provided an important platform to review existing cooperation and identify new initiatives to advance mutually beneficial partnerships.
Both sides agreed to continue close coordination to translate shared understandings into tangible outcomes, including greater facilitation for business-to-business linkages and investment projects.
Earlier, a press release issued by the Press Information Department of Pakistan on Thursday regarding 6th Session of Pak-Qatar JMC For Economic, Trade, and Technical Cooperation, stated: "In the realm of trade, economy, and investment, the signed protocol commits both nations to realizing His Highness the Amir of Qatar’s vision of investing USD 3 billion in Pakistan through the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) or other investment vehicles."
"A key focus was strengthening direct engagement between Pakistan’s Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) and the QIA to streamline investment processes and create a conducive environment for Qatari investors. The SIFC was highlighted as a pivotal platform to facilitate investments in priority sectors, ensuring seamless coordination and support for Qatari businesses," it said.
Pak, UAE leaders discuss bilateral issues
Meanwhile, a statement issued by Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Office of the Spokesperson) on Friday, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar spoke on the phone late last night with the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister of UAE, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
“The two leaders discussed bilateral & multilateral issues of mutual interest as well as recent regional & global developments, and agreed to stay closely engaged,” it said.
Flow of remittances
Dar also chaired a meeting to review the flow of remittances from abroad, particularly from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, said another statement issued by the ministry.
He emphasized the need to increase, improve, and facilitate remittance flows through the use of digital technologies, reducing transfer time and minimizing transaction costs to better serve overseas Pakistanis and their families.
The meeting was attended by Special Assistant to the Prime Minister of Pakistan Tariq Bajwa, the Governor and Deputy Governor State Bank of Pakistan, and other concerned officials.
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