We have to redraw our map of cooperation with Yemen and move forward by sharing our efforts: Minister

Islamabad, January 08, 2014 (PPI-OT): Federal Minister for Industries and Production, Ghulam Murtaza Jatoi has said that we have to redraw our map of cooperation with Yemen and move forward by sharing our efforts, measures and experiences. Pakistan will meet Yemen’s requirements in the fields in which Pakistan produces highly competitive and value-added products such as garments, pharmaceuticals, agri-products, agricultural machinery and electronic equipments, the Minister said.

He stated that both countries will carry out a comprehensive assessment of the other side’s needs and potential and then will draw a comprehensive road map of cooperation in economic, development and social sectors.

The minister shared these views on the concluding session of the 7th Session of Pakistan – Yemen Joint Ministerial Commission which was held in Islamabad on January 7-8, 2014. The Session was Co-Chaired by Mr. Ghulam Murtaza Khan Jatoi, Minister for Industries and Production who is also Co-chair of Pakistan Yemen Joint Ministerial Commission and His Excellency, Dr. Saadaldeen Ali Salim Talib, Minister for Industry and Trade of the Republic of Yemen.

During the two days session of the Commission, marathon meetings were held between the experts of the two sides on a number of issues, especially focusing on Trade, Commerce, and Finance and Investment.

The issue of import of LNG from Yemen was also discussed. Similarly matters pertaining to deepening cooperation in Education, Vocational Training, Health and Population, Agriculture, Fisheries and Infrastructure Development also came under discussion.

During his stay in Pakistan, His Excellency, Dr. Saadaldeen Ali Salim Talib, Minister for Industry and Trade of the Republic of Yemen, also called on to President and Prime Minister of Pakistan. He also held meetings with the Speaker of the National Assembly of the Pakistan and Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources on issues of bilateral interest.

The closing session was held on 8th January, 2014 and co-chaired by Mr. Ghulam Murtaza Khan Jatoi, Minister for Industries and Production and Dr. Saadaldeen Ali Salim Talib, Minister for Industry and Trade of the Republic of Yemen.

During the closing session, minutes of the meetings, agreed from the both sides, were signed by Minister for Industries and Production and Minister for Industry and Trade of Yemen. An Executive Programme on cooperation in the fields of specification, standardization and Quality control between Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) and Yemen Standardization, Metrology and Quality Control Organization (YSMO) was also signed during the closing session.

The highlights of major decisions taken during the meetings of the 7th Session of Pakistan – Yemen Joint Ministerial Commission are as under:

Both sides will commence discussions on Preferential Trade Agreement/ Free Trade Agreement with the objective of increasing bilateral trade volume, which at the moment is even less than $150 Million.

Decision was taken for the establishment of Pakistan-Yemen Joint Business Council and to convene its first meeting during the first quarter of 2014.

A committee for exploring the investment opportunities in both countries was constituted in the session.

An agreement for the import of LNG from Yemen is likely to be signed during the proposed visit of Yemeni Minister for Oil and Minerals to Pakistan in January 2014.

Besides above major decisions, the progress on a number of pending MoUs, agreements and Executive Programmes was also reviewed and it was decided to speed up the pace of internal procedures, required before signing the said MoUs, Agreements and Executive programmes between our two countries.

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