Gilani for developing Pak-Oman maritime trade

[Omar1984]

Gilani for developing Pak-Oman maritime trade
​

ISLAMABAD, Mar 2 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani Tuesday urged the need for developing sea-transportation between Pakistan and Oman to enhance trade through the Gwadar port. Talking to a three-member delegation from Oman led by Mohammed Nasser Al-Khasibi, Secretary General of the Ministry of Economy, Gilani said there were tremendous opportunities of enhancing trade between Pakistan and Oman through maritime transportation and it would also promote tourism and cultural links.

The Prime Minister hoped that the delegation, currently in Pakistan to attend the 6th Joint Ministerial Commission, would contribute towards this objective.

Gilani said besides government to government and business to business contacts the relations between the two countries could be further consolidated through increasing people to people contacts.
He said Pakistan would increase the scholarships for Omani students under the Technical Assistance project besides the country would extend training facilities to Omanis in various fields.

Regarding Pakistan’s efforts against terrorism, the Prime Minister said the areas destroyed during operations against militants require reconstruction of schools, hospitals, roads and houses. He invited Oman to select the sector in which it could cooperate and thanked its government and people for their earlier assistance for the IDPs.

The Prime Minister congratulated Sultan Qaboos and people of Oman on his 40th anniversary. He also accepted the invitation to visit Oman for which dates would be finalized through diplomatic consultations.
He conveyed his special regards to Sultan Qaboos Bin Said Al-Said and acknowledged with thanks the gift of six ambulances for the IDPs besides humanitarian assistance of US $ 10 million.

Mohammed Nasser, Secretary General of Ministry of Economy said “Oman greatly values the brotherly relationship with Pakistan and desires to work more closely at every level”. He assured more support and assistance for the reconstruction of militancy affected areas. The success of Pakistan-Oman Joint Investment Company, he added, has encouraged Omani business community for additional investment in Pakistan.

The Omani Secretary General of Ministry of Economy apprised the Prime Minister of special assistance of US $ 10 million for the IDPs, as well as six ambulances.

He also reiterated the invitation of the Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said to the Prime Minister to visit Oman.

Ms. Hina Rabbani Khar, Minister of State for Finance and Economic Affairs and the Omani Ambassador in Pakistan, Mohammed Said Al-Lawati were also present on the occasion.

 

[Omar1984]

 

[sparklingway]

Were they here to buy back Gwadar?

 

[Omar1984]

Were they here to buy back Gwadar?

Gwadar is Pakistan's for all of eternity.

 

[Omar1984]

Oman to provide $45m for Gwadar airport
​

ISLAMABAD: Pak-Oman Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) has decided that Oman would provide $45 million grant for construction of Gwadar International Airport and other development projects.

This has been agreed in the 6th session of Pak-Oman JMC which concluded here on Tuesday. It has also been decided that Oman Oil Company will make investment of $19.4 million in Pakistan’s energy sector.

The Pakistani delegation was headed by Hina Rabbani Khar, minister of state for finance and economic affairs, whereas Oman’s delegation was led by Mohammed Bin Nasser Al Khasibi, secretary general for Ministry for National Economy, Oman.

Addressing a joint media briefing, Khar said both sides had agreed to enhance collaboration between the trade bodies of Pakistan and Oman for promoting trade and investment. She said a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for establishment of Joint Business Council between Pakistan and Oman would be signed shortly.

“Working Groups of experts from both countries in the fields of commerce, agriculture, livestock and fisheries have been established to further enhance cooperation in these sectors,” she said adding that Oman will hire its additional requirement of manpower from Pakistan, on priority basis. State Minister said that Ministry of Labour and Manpower and the Omani Authority would sign an MoU soon to materialize the proposal.

She further added that Oman had sought assistance from Pakistan Railways for construction of Railways in Oman. “Pakistan will provide assistance in planning, designing, consultancy services, construction and operation of railways, etc,” she maintained.

Pakistani side requested support from Oman side for early finalization of Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Gulf Cooperation Countries (GCC).The Omani side pledged to support Pakistan to ink FTA with GCC.

Mohammed Bin Nasser Al Khasibi, secretary general for Ministry for National Economy, Oman, said that the JMC meeting would open new ways of cooperation between two countries. “The formation of joint business council will result in enhancing people to people contact,” he said.