In a significant step for economic relations, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was recently welcomed with a guard of honour at Al-Qudaibiya Palace in Manama, marking a pivotal moment in Pakistan-Bahrain relations. During his visit, PM Sharif met with Bahrain’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa. The two leaders set an ambitious target to elevate bilateral trade from its current level of over $550 million to an impressive $1 billion within just three years.
This meeting, held at Qasr Al-Qudaibiya, placed economic cooperation at its core. The leaders discussed leveraging the nearly finalised Pakistan-GCC Free Trade Agreement, which is poised to enhance trade flows substantially. With recent visa relaxations aimed at boosting business mobility, there’s a palpable enthusiasm on both sides to collaborate.
PM Sharif extended an invitation to Bahraini investors, encouraging them to explore opportunities across various sectors such as food security, IT, construction, mining, renewable energy, health, and tourism. He also emphasized the importance of improving port connectivity between Karachi or Gwadar and Khalifa bin Salman Port to facilitate smoother trade routes.
The discussions didn’t stop at economics; the two leaders also evaluated defence and security relationships. They agreed to expand collaboration in critical areas like training, cybersecurity, and defence production. PM Sharif took a moment to express gratitude to Bahrain for its long-standing support of the Pakistani community, which numbers over 150,000. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to supplying skilled workers for Bahrain’s booming market. Notably, he acknowledged Bahrain’s role in constructing King Hamad University in Islamabad.
On a global scale, both leaders discussed ongoing developments in Gaza, expressing hope for stability and relief for its people. The atmosphere of the meeting reflected a commitment to tangible progress in strategic, economic, security, and people-to-people ties.
As we look toward the future, it’s clear that both nations are eager to deepen their partnership. If you’re interested in staying updated on similar developments, or maybe even exploring investment opportunities in these growing sectors, consider connecting with platforms like Pro21st for more insights and discussions!
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