Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar on Wednesday underscored that there are vast opportunities available to further expand trade relations between Pakistan and Nigeria.
“The exchange of trade delegations will further promote economic ties and investors of both countries will be mutually benefited due to the expansion in the volume of bilateral trade.”
Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar was talking with High Commissioner of Nigeria Abioye Mohammed Bello who called on the CM on Wednesday.
The Chairman P&D and others were also present. Both discussed matters of mutual interest and agreed to promote bilateral cooperation in different sectors including agriculture, IT, tourism, textile, sports goods and pharmaceutical industry.
The CM pointed out that a facilitation centre has been established at the office of CM Punjab to ensure ease for local and foreign investors and it is noteworthy that a conducive atmosphere was provided for investment, added Usman Buzdar.
Direct access was provided to investors to concerned high government officials through the facilitation centre and a zero NOC policy was being introduced to enter the province into a new arena of investment, he added.
The CM invited the Nigerian investors to invest in Punjab adding that work has been started on 12 special economic zones in three years while the industrialization process has been started in eight new special economic zones.
Meanwhile, the Punjab government was going to showcase the vibrant cultural and trade potentials at Dubai Expo this month to highlight Pakistan’s soft image before the world, concluded the CM.
The Nigerian High Commissioner appreciated the steps taken by CM led Punjab government to facilitate the investors adding that the efforts of the CM are praiseworthy. We want to promote cooperation with Punjab in different sectors, he added.
Meanwhile, Federal Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad called on Chief Minister Usman Buzdar and discussed matters of mutual interest.
The CM said that everyone sanely acted for an amicable resolution of the issue which is a collective victory for all of us.
The PTI-led government has always preferred national interest but the opposition acted against the interest of the country, he deplored.
The situation was being improved and things will be further refined as the law and order situation was better in the province, he added.
Federal Minister Sh Rasheed expressed satisfaction that the issue has been settled amicably due to the wise approach of PM Imran Khan.
The law and order situation was satisfactory in Punjab and other areas of the country but the opposition was engaged in its usual negative politics to serve its negative agenda, he added.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Usman Buzdar greeted the cricket team for making it to the T20 World Cup semi-final and hoped that the team would also clinch victory in the semi-final. It is satisfying that the players have performed well to defeat the opponent teams, he added.
The chief minister felicitated Pakistan’s Hindu community on Diwali adding that the government fully shares their joys on this happy occasion which symbolises the victory of good over evil.
The chief minister said the state was responsible for protecting the rights of her minorities. Sharing others’ happiness promotes the passions of brotherhood and tolerance in society, he stated.
Respect for minority communities and ensuring better treatment was a message of the religion of Islam; he maintained and repeated that religious minorities enjoy equal rights in Pakistan.
Meanwhile, CM Usman Buzdar expressed a deep sense of sorrow over the loss of lives in a road accident near Pallandri area of Azad Kashmir.
In a statement, the CM extended sympathies to the bereaved heirs and prayed for the early recovery of the injured. The Punjab government fully shares the grief of the affected families, he added.
ON the other hand, Chief Minister Usman Buzdar will chair the 49th meeting of the provincial cabinet to deliberate on 45 point agenda today (Thursday).
Ministers, special assistants, advisors, chief secretary, IG police and administrative secretaries will attend the meeting.
