Kazakh Ambassador Yerzhan Kistafin calls on the Minister for Economic Affairs Omar Ayub Khan to discuss bilateral economic cooperation in Islamabad.
Islamabad; The Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan H.E. Yerzhan Kistafin called on the Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Omar Ayub Khan, Federal Minister for Education, Professional Training, National Heritage and Culture Shafqat Mahmood and Federal Minister of Railways of Pakistan Mr. Muhammad Azam K Swati and discussed the prospects of increasing bilateral cooperation in their respective sectors.
On 05 Oct, in meeting with Omar Ayub Khan,both the sides exchanged views on bilateral relations and discussed key regional issues. The Minister for Economic Affairs expressed that regional cooperation and economic integration are effective ways to unleash the economic opportunities. He highlighted that there is huge potential for enhancing bilateral trade & investment .
He particularly emphasized the importance of regional connectivity and Pakistan’s pivotal position in providing the shortest access between the land-locked Central Asian States and the Arabian Sea. The Minister highlighted that Pakistan would be a regional hub for transit trade and investment opportunism in the near future.
He also stressed on establishing direct air linkages between the two countries. Furthermore, they also discussed the other priorities areas including agriculture, tourism and media.
Ambassador o highlighted the importance of regional integration and connectivity between with the Central Asia and Pakistan which would help to unleash economic opportunities in the region through enhanced trade, investment and tourism.
He said that presently, the level of economic cooperation is much below the potential of both countries and stressed on enhancing business-to-business contacts through private sector.
The Ambassador informed that the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan has accepted the invitation to visit Pakistan next year. In order to enhance bilateral economic cooperation, he also proposed to hold the next meeting of Kaz-Pak Inter-Governmental Joint Commission on 23rd November, 2021 in Almaty.
He apprised that three working groups on economic cooperation, energy and transportation have already been established to prepare the proposals for upcoming Kaz-Pak Inter-Governmental Joint Commission.
The Minister for Economic Affairs thanked Kazakh Ambassador for his pivotal role in strengthening diplomatic and economic relations. The Minister reiterated strong commitment of the Government of Pakistan towards further expanding bilateral economic cooperation through enhanced trade, investment, tourism and business2business contacts.
On 06 Oct, the Ambassador called on Federal Minister for Education, Professional Training, National Heritage and Culture Shafqat Mahmood at Federal Education ministry. The two sides discussed to enhance educational and cultural relationships and for this purpose the both sides agreed on people to people and university to university contacts.
Minister Shafqat Mahmood expressed his desire for broad based and deeper relationship with Republic of Kazakhstan and also suggested the exchange of cultural troops of both countries to enhance the awareness of each other’s cultures.
In this regard Pakistan National Council of Arts will sign memorandum of understanding with the Arts related organisation of Kazakhstan. The both sides also discussed to hold the events of sports, joint webinars and other extracurricular activities to bring the people of the both countries closer.
The Ambassador Yerzhan Kistafin also presented two books to the minister namely Modern Kazakhstan ‘ The expo legacy’ and selected works of Chokan Valikhanof that sheds light on the history of the region.
Federal Education Secretary Ms. Farah Hamid Khan and Vice Chancellor QAU, Dr. Muhammad Ali Shah also attended the meeting.
Quaid I Azam University is already working with universities of Kazakhstan on science and Technology areas and memorandum of understanding in this regard is likely to be inked in next couple of months. After the signing of MoU the faculty and students from both countries will visit each other which will further strengthen the fraternal ties between the both countries.
The Ambassador called on the Federal Minister of Railways Mr. Muhammad Azam K Swati. During the meeting, the sides exchanged views on the prospects for cooperation between the countries in the field of railways.
Ambassador briefed Minister about the current state of bilateral cooperation and priority areas. In the context of the tasks set by the President of Kazakhstan in the annual Address to the People of Kazakhstan, delivered on September 1 this year, to increase transit and export potential, partnership with Pakistan in this direction could be extremely mutually beneficial.
M.A. Swati, for his own part, supported the points voiced by Ambassador, emphasizing Islamabad’s interest in intensifying cooperation with Kazakhstan in this area. He informed about the current state of the railway industry and activity carried out by the Pakistani authorities.
Following the meeting, the parties agreed to organize the first online negotiations between representatives of the authorities on the railways of the two countries in the near future.
