Islamabad : Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday stressed the importance of strengthening Pakistan’s longstanding relationship with Canada, with both sides agreeing to enhance cooperation in trade, investment, and other key sectors.
According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the prime minister expressed these views during a meeting with Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand, who called on him in Islamabad.
Welcoming the visiting minister, PM Shehbaz said Pakistan and Canada should further expand collaboration in areas such as trade, investment, agriculture, agri-food, vaccine manufacturing, renewable energy, automobiles, and auto parts.
The prime minister also conveyed his best wishes to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and expressed hope that the two leaders would meet in the near future. Referring to their telephone conversation in April, he thanked Canada for supporting Pakistan’s efforts to promote regional peace and stability.
Anita Anand thanked the Pakistani government for the warm reception extended to her delegation and conveyed the greetings and good wishes of Prime Minister Mark Carney to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
She said her visit was undertaken at the direction of the Canadian prime minister with the objective of further strengthening bilateral engagement between the two countries.
The Canadian foreign minister said Ottawa is interested in expanding cooperation with Pakistan in trade, agriculture, mining, energy, automobiles, and the auto parts industry. She added that the proposed Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPPA) would help build greater confidence among Canadian investors looking to invest in Pakistan.
During the meeting, both sides acknowledged the important role played by the Pakistani community in Canada in strengthening people-to-people ties and deepening bilateral relations.
The two delegations also agreed to exchange trade and mining sector delegations to explore new business opportunities and increase bilateral trade and investment.
Following the meeting, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif witnessed the signing of a phytosanitary protocol governing the import of Canadian canola into Pakistan. The agreement was signed by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar on behalf of Pakistan, while Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand signed the document on behalf of Canada.
