He added that there is a need to further strengthen transport and communication infrastructure, facilitate trade and investment and identify important priorities of the ECO for development and growth in the region.
The President said this while talking to Iranian Secretary General of Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), Dr. Hadi Soleimanpour, who called on him in Islamabad.
He said Pakistan is upgrading its rail and road infrastructure in order to facilitate smooth flow of goods to its neighbors and to galvanize trade opportunities within the ECO region.
The President emphasized that ECO Vision 2025 would serve as a roadmap for the Organization. He further said that we are undertaking necessary steps to meet the timelines mentioned in the Implementation Framework of the Vision 2025.
He underscored that Pakistan believes robust implementation of ECO Trade Agreements would be a step towards minimizing barriers to trade and ultimately establishing a Free Trade Area as enshrined in ECO Vision 2025.
Secretary General, Economic Cooperation Organization Dr. Hadi Soleimanpour said that Pakistan has always been an active member of ECO and cornerstone of peace and cooperation in the region.
He further stated that there is a huge potential of ecotourism in Pakistan which can be a huge attraction for the international tourists.
Dr. Hadi Soleimanpour also met with Minister for Planning, Development and Reform Makhdum Khusro Bakhtyar in Islamabad.
The minister during the meeting said the ECO offers potential to enhance regional integration and connectivity as well as increase trade and commerce among member states.
The Minister called for focusing on strengthening coastal, rail and road connectivity as well as facilitation of trade and investment for increased regional commerce activities.
Secretary General, ECO, said that Pakistan is a vibrant member and expressed optimism that the regional bloc will attain all its objectives through mutual cooperation among all member states.
The visiting dignitary held a meeting Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi at his office in Islamabad.
Matters of mutual interests, economic progress, trade, development and other issues were came under discussion in the meeting.
ECO Secretary General apprising the foreign minister about the motto of the organization said that ECO help boost economic ties among different countries to increase economic activities in the region.
Dr. Hadi also called on Pakistan’s Advisor to Prime Minister on Commerce, Textile, Industry & Production and Investment, Abdul Razak Dawood and discussed matters of mutual interest.
Secretary General, ECO is visiting Pakistan from March 12-15, 2019. This is his first visit to Pakistan since he assumed the office as the Secretary General of the Organization.
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Publish Date: 15 March 2019 - 12:13
Islamabad, March 15, IRNA -- President of Pakistan Dr. Arif Alvi has said that the ECO region has the potential and capacity to function as a bridge between Europe and Asia, an official statement said.