Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif said Pakistan values its ties with Bahrain and stressed the need for expanding bilateral trade between both countries.The Prime Minister welcomed the important step of establishing the Joint Ministerial Commission between Pakistan and Bahrain.The Prime Minister also appreciated the performance of Pakistan’s Ambassador Javed Malik and expressed the confidence that relations of two countries would continue to grow.The Foreign Minister conveyed the special greetings of Bahrain’s King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.He informed the Prime Minister that the relations between both countries had been upgraded due to Joint Ministerial Commission.The first session of the JMC is being held in Islamabad later today in which both countries will hold comprehensive discussion to expand diplomatic, economic, trade, strategic and cultural ties, he added.Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid is leading a high-level government delegation that also includes members of the royal family of Bahrain.The visit highlights the growing bilateral relations between Pakistan and Bahrain.Pakistan and Bahrain agreed to expand cooperation in energy, defence, agriculture and higher education. The understanding came at a meeting of Pakistan-Bahrain Joint Ministerial Commission meeting.Later, talking to newsmen along with Foreign Minister of Bahrain Shaikh Khalid Bin Ahmad Al Khalifa, the Advisor said Pakistan has become more attractive for investment due to visible improvement in security situation.He said Pakistan is committed to protect and facilitate foreign investment by offering equal opportunities both to local and foreign investors.Sartaj Aziz said the CPEC will open new avenues of enhanced trade and economic activities in Pakistan. He said special economic zones are to be established on the routes of the corridor and this will offer attractive incentives and facilities both to domestic and foreign investors. He said Bahraini companies and investors are welcomed to consider these opportunities.The Advisor said CPEC would also benefit the region and Bahrain and other Gulf countries would find innumerable opportunities to exploit for their goods.They have also agreed for early activation of business council between federations of commerce of the two countries.Minister for Foreign Affairs of Bahrain said the two sides signed two MoUs today on cooperation in agriculture and diplomatic service training adding a number of other MoUs are also in the pipeline.There should be frequent interaction between Pakistan and Bahrain to forge collaboration in different fields he said adding that the two sides have good cooperation in defence, economy and political consultations.The Minister said besides discussing further mutual collaboration they also discussed Pakistan-GCC cooperation. It is the need of hour that Pakistan and all GCC countries including Bahrain make greater relations in the field of security, trade and economy for their safer and prosperous future. Bahrain and Pakistan are enjoying good cooperation in different fields and it is hoped that relations between both countries will be boosted.The Bahrain should take benefit from the opportunities being created under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and will invest in the industrial zones, infrastructure, power and other projects. All Muslim countries should join hand to tackle the severe challenges emerging for Muslim world. We hope relations between Pakistan and GCC countries will be strengthened in future.
