Pakistani PM Ashraf Inspects Iran Stall At D-8 Trade Exhibition

Islamabad, Nov 20, IRNA – Pakistani Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf on Monday visited the Iranian stall at Developing-8 (D-8) trade exhibition and shown keen interest in the Iranian products. The PM interacted with the staff of Iranian stall and said that Iran and Pakistan are tied in the eternal bond of friendship. Earlier the PM speaking at the opening ceremony of D-8 trade exhibition held at Pak-China Friendship Center, said that D-8 countries need to promote trade and the level of access to each others market should be equal. The prime minister said that the D-8 convention took significant measure to promote bilateral trade and this exhibition will also play an important role in enhancing the bilateral trade. “By 2018 we can achieve the target of 500 billion dollar trade among the D-8 countries,” he said. According to Raja Pervez Ashraf, the D-8 countries have the potential to boost the industrial sector. Furthermore, he added D-8 countries should come forward towards sustainable commercial cooperation for peace and development in the region. “Let us work together and cease this opportunity for the peace of the region,” said the prime minister. Raja Pervez Ashraf went on to say that Pakistan will continue to play its role in achieving the D-8 objectives. Pakistani commerce and trade minister Makhdoom Amin Faheem on the occasion said that the exhibition would provide a solid platform at which public and private sectors of D-8 countries will showcase their trade potential. He said that it should be made an annual event adding that Pakistan is open for trade and business. Pakistan foreign minister Hina Rabbani Khar, Federal Secretary Commerce Munir Qureshi and Chief Executive (CE) of Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) Abid Javed Akbar were also present on the occasion. A four-day meeting of the Developing-8 (D-8) countries began on Monday will formulate a strategy to enhance their share in global trade by 15 per cent by 2018. The D-8 or ‘Developing Eight’ groups eight developing Muslim countries: Bangladesh‚ Egypt‚ Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan and Turkey. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad along with presidents Mohamed Morsi of Egypt, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono of Indonesia, and Goodluck Ebele Jonathan of Nigeria and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey will attend the summit. Malaysia and Bangladesh are likely to be represented by their deputy prime ministers./end