PM proposes FTA with Oman
Daily Times, Pakistan
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
PM proposes FTA with Oman
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Monday proposed that Pakistan and Oman should sign Free Trade Agreement (FTA) to further expand their economic ties and this would be Pakistan’s first FTA with a Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) country.
The prime minister made the proposal while talking to Sayyid Badr Bin Hamad Bin Hamood Al-Busaid, Omani Under Secretary for Foreign Affairs, who called on him at the Prime Minister’s House. The prime minister said Pakistan and Oman, which enjoyed strong diplomatic, social, economic historic relations and were tied in the bond of a common religion, needed to expand their trade and business relations as there was great potential for it in a number of sectors, particularly energy development.
Observing that sometimes Islam is not understood in its true light in the world, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said the Organization of Islamic Conference should be strengthened to forge unity in the ranks of Muslims as well as to serve as a platform to present the true picture of Islam as a religion which propagates peace, tolerance, love, brother hood and compassion.
The prime minister apprised Sayyid Badr Bin Hamad Bin Hamood Al-Busaid of Pakistan’s stand on various regional and international issues. He said Pakistan is an anchor of peace and stability in the region. Pakistan’s does not have aggressive designs against any country and its nuclear programme is strictly for deterrence and to maintain peace. Sayyid Badr Bin Hamad Bin Hamood Al-Busaid observed that Pakistan and Oman enjoyed close brotherly relations and shared unanimity of views on various regional and international issues. He said his country desires to expend economic ties with Pakistan and is moving actively on the joint collaboration initiatives.
staff report
