Islamabad: July 18, 2023 – Delegation of Azerbaijan led by its Minister of Digital Development and Transport, Mr. Rashad Nabiyev had separate meetings with Minister for IT and Telecommunication Syed Amin Ul Haque,Minister Communication Asad Mehmood, Minister Railway Saad Rafiq, Minister Commerce Naveed Qamar, Minister Maritime Fasial Sabzwari. Both sides discussed bilateral cooperation in all respective sectors. They agreed to enhance the present level of mutual ties. Ambassador Khazar Farhadov and staff accompanied the visiting delegation in the meetings that were meant to enhance already present cordial relations and cooperation.
Commerce Ministry Meeting
H.E. Mr. Rashid Nabiyev, visited Pakistan on Tuesday to meet with Federal Minister for Commerce, Syed Naveed Qamar, to discuss the finalization of the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) and Transit Trade Agreement (TTA) . Minister Nabiyev informed that the PTA is expected to be finalized in the first week of August, while the TTA is planned to be signed by the end of August or in September. He mentioned that discussions regarding the TTA are currently underway in Azerbaijan’s relevant ministries.
Minister Nabiyev revealed that Azerbaijan is to initiate flights of Azerbaijan Airlines between Islamabad and Baku soon.
Syed Naveed said direct flights would further strengthen the bilateral trade and connectivity between the two nations.
To ensure the timely finalization of the Transit Trade Agreement, Naveed Qamar proposed the establishment of a High-Level Joint Working Group, which would actively work towards achieving the desired goals.
Both countries are presently engaged in negotiations for the Preferential Trade Agreement. Pakistan has completed consultations to finalize its list of requested items, sharing a request list of 103 items with Azerbaijan on June 14, 2023, seeking market access.
On the other hand, Azerbaijan has shared its request list of 84 items, and the Ministry of Commerce in Pakistan is currently conducting stakeholder consultations on these items.
Regarding the Transit Trade Agreement, the Ministry of Commerce shared the draft agreement with Azerbaijan on September 15, 2022 with the consensus of all stakeholders.
The agreement encompasses all modes of transportation, including road, railways, air, and sea. During the discussions, tariff reduction modalities and lists were also deliberated upon, with the aim of further facilitating mutual trade . Both sides expressed their commitment to enhancing bilateral trade ties between the “brother countries” and strengthening economic cooperation.
Information Technology Meeting
Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication Syed Amin Ul Haque welcomed the delegation on arrival in Ministry, and matters relating to digital transformation, software development and IT exports were discussed in detail.Secretary IT Navid Ahmed Shaikh was also present . The two sides agreed to enhance cooperation .
Syed Amin Ul Haque said Pakistan wants to boost ties with Azerbaijan in technology sector, . Ministry is committed to achieve Prime Minister’s Digital Pakistan vision, adding that Ministry of IT working jointly with IT industry for digital transformation in the country.
Minister Rashad Nabiyev, emphasized the need of forming joint working group for strengthening ties in IT and telecom sector. He said Azerbaijan wanted to work with Pakistan in the field of software development. Earlier, Member IT Syed Junaid Imam briefed the delegation on digital Pakistan landscape.
The meeting was attended by Member IT Syed Junaid Imam, Member Telecom Muhammad Omar Malik, Member International Coordination Ajmal Anwar Awan, Member Legal Babur Sohail, CEO Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) Ali Raza, CEO Ignite Asim Shahryar Husain, DG to Minister Aftab Rashid and others.
Maritime Affairs Meeting
Minister of Maritime Affairs, Syed Faisal Hussain Sabzwari extended a warm welcome to H. E. Rashad Nabiyev and his delegation.He provided an overview of Pakistan’s shipping, port, and transport infrastructure, highlighting the immense untapped potential of various ports, particularly the Gawadar port.He emphasized Pakistan’s commitment to enhancing its maritime capabilities and leveraging its strategic geographical location to facilitate international trade.
Minister Rashad Nabiyev expressed gratitude for the warm reception and conveyed Azerbaijan’s keen interest in exploring avenues of collaboration in the maritime sector. Recognizing Pakistan’s commitment to supporting landlocked countries, he appreciated the offer of full support and cooperation extended by Pakistan.
Both ministers acknowledged the importance of strengthening maritime connectivity, promoting trade facilitation, and harnessing the potential for mutual economic growth. They discussed potential areas of cooperation, such as joint ventures, information sharing, and capacity building initiatives in the maritime domain.
The meeting concluded on a positive note, with both ministers expressing their desire to foster closer ties between Pakistan and Azerbaijan in the field of maritime affairs. They emphasized the need for regular exchange of delegations and the exploration of concrete collaborative projects in the future.
Communication Ministry Meeting
Federal Minister for Communications Maulana Asad Mahmood hosted a meeting to discuss road trade agreement and move towards a legal framework for trade.
Mr. Rashad Nabiyev apprised the Minister for Communications that Azerbaijan has paved new roads for the promotion of trade and public transportation by laying its network of highways connecting up to Bandar Abbas, Iran.
Mr. Asad Mehmood expressed Pakistan’s desire to expand land connection to Iran, Azerbaijan, Russia and Eastern Europe to boost the economy of regional countries and raise the living standards of the people. Government of Pakistan stands ready for all kinds of assistance regarding road transport and trade.
During the meeting, a task force was formed to develop a legal framework for road trade agreement, and the Federal Secretary Communications & Chairman NHA Captain (Rtd.) Muhammad Khurram Agha will be the focal person on behalf of Pakistan.
Minister Asad said a road trade agreement will help in furthering bilateral ties to new heights. Pakistan is expanding its land routes to nearby countries by laying a vast network of important national highways in Balochistan.
Minister Rashad Nabiyev, said Azerbaijan has heavily invested in road infrastructure, railways, and airports in some of its newly developed land areas, and the minister encouraged that Pakistan may benefit by using Azerbaijan as a transit route to the West.
The minister concluded that the process of laying land links and highways between Pakistan and Azerbaijan, through Iran, will promote trade, industry, tourism and culture between the two countries.
