Ambassador of Netherlands calls on Punjab CM discuss matters of mutual interest

LAHORE: Ambassador of Netherlands Mrs. Ardi Stoios-Braken called on Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, here on Tuesday. During the meeting, different matters of mutual interest including promotion of bilateral relations and increase in cooperation in different sectors came under discussion.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister said that Pakistan and Netherlands enjoy good cordial relations and added that Netherlands has exclusive expertise in livestock, agriculture, dairy farming and water management sectors. He said that Punjab is an agrarian province and promotion of agricultural economy is the priority of the government. There is a tremendous potential to increase mutual cooperation in agriculture sector between the two countries. We are desirous of enhancing cooperation with Netherlands in the energy sector as well and both the countries are needed to further expand their economic corporation, he added. He said the government of Pakistan Muslim League-N has completed energy projects of thousands of megawatts capacity in a record period of time and the load-shedding has been eliminated due to the completion of these projects. He said the Punjab government has installed 400 megawatts solar power plant while work is in progress on 300 megawatts power plants. Meanwhile, thousands of megawatts electricity has been generated from the gas-based power projects. He said the menace of terrorism and fanaticism have been eliminated to a large extent and Pakistan has rendered immortal sacrifices in the war against terrorism. He said that officers and jawans of Pak army and the police, ordinary citizens and the people from every walk of life have sacrificed their lives in the war against terrorism and due to these sacrifices, Pakistan has become a peaceful country and the investments have been increased. He said that vast opportunities for investment are available in different sectors in the Punjab and foreign investors have been provided special facilities for investment.
Ambassador of Netherlands Mrs. Ardi Stoios-Braken said that many opportunities of cooperation are available in the agriculture sector of the Punjab and added that her country is desirous of promoting cooperation with the Punjab in livestock and dairy development sectors. Pakistan is a peaceful country and steps would be adopted to enhance cooperation with the Punjab government in different sectors.
Provincial Minister for Finance Dr. Ayesha Ghaus Pasha, Secretary P&D, MD Lahore Solid Waste Management Company and concerned officials were present on the occasion.