Manama: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has invited Bahraini businessmen to invest in Pakistan and said that Pakistan has long-term partnership opportunities in agriculture, IT, minerals, energy and tourism sectors.
He said this while addressing the business community during his two-day official visit to Bahrain.
The ceremony was attended by Bahraini Deputy Prime Minister, Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Finance and National Economy, Industry and Commerce, along with Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and others.
The Prime Minister said that Pakistan is a talented workforce, resources and a rapidly growing consumer market with immense business opportunities, which when combined with Bahrain’s financial expertise and business acumen, the possibilities increase further.
The Prime Minister said that Pakistan is ready to increase economic cooperation with Bahrain in the agricultural sector, IT, artificial intelligence, fintech and all other sectors to create synergy through mutual efforts, knowledge and experience.
He told the Pakistanis living abroad, Pakistani and Bahraini businessmen that the free trade agreement between Pakistan and the GCC is expected to be signed soon, which will strengthen trade cooperation.
Read More: Israeli aggression must be stopped immediately, Muslim Ummah must demonstrate unity, PM Shahbaz
Shehbaz Sharif said that I am addressing you not only as the Prime Minister of Pakistan but also as the CEO of a country that is eager to partner with Bahraini businessmen. We are ready to support your joint business projects, help you plan your investments and make the mutually beneficial journey ahead of us a success. Whether you are a Bahraini investor who is heading to Pakistan or a Pakistani businessperson contributing to the development of Bahrain, this moment should be a milestone of bold and meaningful cooperation for you.
The Prime Minister thanked Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa for the gracious hospitality he and his delegation received, saying that the relations between the two countries are based on culture, religion, mutual respect and trust and have been based on strategic cooperation for decades.
He said that now we need to convert these excellent relations into economic cooperation. He promised to transform the challenge of the young population into a great national strength through IT, AI, technical training and skill training.
The Prime Minister appreciated the services of over one hundred thousand Pakistanis living in Bahrain for their host country and homeland, who sent $484 million in remittances last year.
Read More: Preparations should be made now to avoid losses from monsoon next year, says PM Shehbaz
He said, “I assure you that the doors of Pakistan and my own doors will always be open to all of you,” and praised Bahrain’s visionary leadership, which has made the country a symbol of economic growth, financial innovation and human-centered development, which is also a beacon for Pakistan.
Earlier in his speech, Bahraini Finance Minister Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa said that the services of Pakistanis from generation to generation have played a significant role in Bahrain’s development and many Pakistanis have made Bahrain their second home. Pakistan’s financial institutions have been the main pillars of Bahrain’s financial sector for more than half a century.
The Minister said that Bahrain is going through a period of generational change and the region is becoming a center of innovation, sustainability and technological excellence, in which Bahrain is playing a leading role.
He said that in the field of digital technology, Bahrain’s high-capacity submarine cables and expanding digital infrastructure are making it a data and connectivity hub in the region, which opens new avenues for Pakistan’s software engineering, artificial intelligence, cyber security and cutting-edge digital services companies.
The Finance Minister said that Bahrain considers Pakistan as a partner in a shared economic future while advancing Vision 2030 and laying the foundation for Vision 2050.
