Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday announced that his country would soon establish its resident diplomatic mission in Djibouti.
He made the announcement during a meeting with a 12-member parliamentary delegation of the African Union-led by President National Assembly of Republic of Djibouti, Mohamed Ali Houmed, in capital Islamabad, according to a statement from prime minister office.
The delegation is on a week-long official visit to Pakistan.
Welcoming the delegation, Khan underlined the salience of Pakistan’s “Engage Africa” policy, which aims at forging closer ties with the continent by expanding Islamabad’s diplomatic footprint and deepening economic engagement.
Read more: Engage Africa: Pakistan Eager to work with African Countries for Peace & Prosperity
Both sides affirmed the shared desire to broaden bilateral cooperation in diverse fields, the statement added.
The two sides also exchanged views on the importance of peace and security in neighboring regional context of both Pakistan and Djibouti.
Houmed, for his part, appreciated Pakistan’s “historical” support and expressed hope that visit of parliamentary delegation would help further consolidate Djibouti-Pakistan relations.
The Prime Minister further underlined that Pakistan would soon be establishing its resident diplomatic Mission in Djibouti.
Both sides affirmed the shared desire to broaden bilateral cooperation in diverse fields.@ImranKhanPTI
8/5 pic.twitter.com/kKgzTAzKhX— PTV World (@WorldPTV) December 30, 2020
The chairman of Pakistan’s upper house -the Senate-, Sadiq Sanjrani, was also present during the meeting.
Pakistan’s trade with Africa
Adviser to Prime Minister on Commerce and Investment Abdul Razak Dawood on Sunday said Pakistan’s trade with Africa touched the US $ 4.18 billion in 2019-20, which was increased by seven percent as compared to the previous year (2018-19).
As a result of Pakistan’s new engagement with African countries through the “Look Africa Campaign” started by the government of Pakistan, despite the Covid-19 pandemic, exports to Africa increased by seven percent in 2019-20 from the US $ 1.38 billion in 2018-19 to the US $ 1.48 billion in 2019-20, the Advisor told APP.
The Advisor said total trade with Africa has increased from the US $ 3.19 billion in 2016-17 to the US $ 4.18 billion in 2019-20.
Read more: Pakistan’s trade with Africa increased by seven percent in 2019-20: Razak Dawood
Razak Dawood said a month ago in November, a four-member business delegation from Tanzania visited Pakistan after decades.
The delegation was led by the President Tanzania Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture. These bilateral exchanges were expected to enhance trade between the two countries.
Anadolu with additional input by GVS News Desk