Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday emphasised the importance of enhancing bilateral trade volumes and diversifying Pakistan’s exports to Qatar, particularly in agricultural products, food items and value-added goods.

The prime minister was talking to the Minister of State of Qatar on Foreign Trade Dr Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Sayed, who called on him during his official visit to Doha. Dr Al-Sayed is also the chairman of the Pak-Qatar Joint Business Task Force.

During the meeting, the two sides reviewed bilateral trade and economic cooperation and expressed satisfaction over the growing momentum in Pakistan–Qatar relations.

Both sides discussed follow-up to the 6th Session of the Pakistan–Qatar Joint Ministerial Commission and reaffirmed their commitment to implementing agreed decisions.

The prime minister also highlighted Pakistan’s investment-friendly reforms and the role of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) in facilitating foreign investment.

Dr Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Sayed reiterated Qatar’s interest in expanding economic cooperation and strengthening private-sector and business linkages between the two countries.

The two sides also agreed to convene a meeting of the task force comprising relevant officials of both countries, within the month of Ramazan, to discuss concrete investment proposals for Qatari investment in Pakistan.

The meeting underscored the shared resolve to further deepen trade, investment and industrial collaboration between Pakistan and Qatar.

Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar and Special Assistant to the PM Tariq Fatemi were also present in the meeting.