Musharraf keen to seal FTA deal with Dhaka fast
Daily Star, Bangladesh
26 November 2004
Front Page
Musharraf keen to seal FTA deal with Dhaka fast
UNB, Dhaka
Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf has expressed his keenness for early conclusion of bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) between Bangladesh and Pakistan for further expansion of economic cooperation between the two countries.
The Pak president expressed his desire when Bangladesh Foreign Minister M Morshed Khan called on him in Islamabad yesterday, according to a message received from Bangladesh mission in the Pakistan capital.
President Musharraf also inquired about cooperation in human resource development and scholarships.
The president said he looked forward to the visit of Prime Minister Khaleda Zia to Pakistan and conveyed his best wishes to her.
Khan, now in Pakistan in connection with the Saarc summit in Dhaka, conveyed to the Pak President warm greetings of Prime Minister Khaleda Zia.
Musharraf said he looked forward to "successful holding" of the Dhaka summit and assured "active participation and initiative of Pakistan towards a substantive outcome".
Khan briefed Musharraf about the approach taken by Prime Minister Khaleda Zia to the future course of action by focusing on implementation. The Pak president extended his full support.
Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid M Kasuri and Foreign Secretary Riaz Khokar, Bangladesh High Commissioner to Pakistan F.A. Shamim Ahmed and Director General (Saarc) Ruhul Amin were present during the meeting
The Foreign Minister will return to Dhaka tomorrow (Friday) on conclusion of his visit to all SAARC capitals as special envoy of Prime Minister Khaleda Zia to invite the SAARC leaders to attend the Dhaka meet.
