Pakistan aims to raise bilateral trade with China

Islamabad: Foreign Minister, Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi has said that Pakistan is keen to promote economic collaboration with China and is aiming to raise the bilateral trade from $7 billion to $15 billion by 2011.

He stated this during his meeting with the Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jeichi on the sidelines of the 63rd UN General Assembly session, says a Foreign Office statement here on Saturday.

Qureshi said that he was looking forward to visit China with President Asif Ali Zardari in the middle of October. The President valued China's friendship, which was demonstrated by his decision to send his son for the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games, he said.

Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jeichi said that China was proud to have assisted Pakistan and had done its best to advance co-operation. China would endeavour to continue this co-operation in the future as well. He said that China attached great importance to the PPP government's commitment to promote friendly relations with China.

The Chinese government, he underlined, was concerned about the security of its nationals in Pakistan. China appreciated the complexity of the matter and the efforts made by the Pakistan government for their safe release.

Foreign Minister Qureshi assured the Chinese Foreign Minister that the safety of Chinese nationals was important to Pakistan and it will do everything to ensure their protection. Meanwhile, Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi also called on Foreign Minister of Ireland, T D Martin on the sidelines of the 63rd session of the UN General Assembly in New York. The Foreign Minister appreciated the award conferred by Ireland on Shaheed Mohtarama Benazir Bhutto. She had visited Ireland in 1994 and wanted to cultivate close relations with it.

The Foreign Minister requested the Irish Foreign Minister to open its embassy in Pakistan, which would give further impetus to the bilateral relations. He also requested the Irish Foreign Minister to encourage investment by Irish companies in Pakistan.

He invited Ireland to participate in the Food Technology and Agricultural Show, Expo 2008 and the Ideas exhibition. He said that Irish companies were already present in Pakistan in several fields including the power sector and oil exploration. He said as part of its Asia strategy, Ireland wished to develop strong economic relations with Pakistan. He felt that Pakistanis were playing a prominent role in Ireland and welcomed their presence in the country.