Pak PM stresses on encouraging private sector

KATHMANDU, Aug 21: Prime Minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif has stressed the need of cooperation between the private sectors of Nepal and Pakistan for the promotion of energy, tourism and trade of agricultural products.



During his meeting with the Nepali delegation led by Finance Minister Shankar Prasad Koirala in Islamabad Wednesday, the Pakistani PM emphasized on encouraging private sectors in both the countries for mutual support and cooperation to attain development in these sectors, according to a press note issued by Minister Koirala´s advisor Sanket Koirala from Islamabad. [break]



Presently, the Nepali delegation is in Pakistan in course of taking part in the Nepal-Pakistan ministerial-level joint meeting of the Economic Commission.

Mutual relations between the two countries is moving ahead smoothly with the political changes in both the countries, the Pakistani PM said, expressing his hope that such relations would further consolidate and be more fruitful in the days ahead.



Recalling his two visits to Nepal in the past, PM Sharif said such high-level visits would strengthen mutual relations. Although property was nationalized during the tenure of the then PM Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto in Pakistan, the governments formed after that have encouraged the private sector and therefore, there are abundant possibilities of mutual cooperation between us, he said.



In response, Minister Koirala stressed the need of following the policies of motivating private sectors in letter and spirit.



The joint meeting has opened a door for mutual cooperation, he said, adding people of both the countries would be benefited, if Pakistani investment was increased in trade between the two countries.



Underlining the need of continuing bilateral trade fairs, he said although the formation of the incumbent government was for conducting the elections, it is focused on the country´s economic development as well.



Nepali Ambassador to Pakistan Bharat Raj Poudel, Joint Secretary at the Foreign Ministry Kali Prasad Pokhrel, Joint Secretary at the Finance Ministry Madhu Kumar Marasini, Under Secretary Kailash Pokhrel, Vice Chairman of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Pradip Jung Pandey and former President of Nepal Chamber of Commerce Surendra Bir Malakar were present in the meeting.

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