RIYADH, 20 February 2007 — Pakistan’s Minister of Commerce Humayun Akhtar arrived here yesterday to participate in the Eighth Saudi-Pakistan Joint Ministerial Committee meeting to be held at the Royal Conference Palace today.
Akhtar was received at the airport by his Saudi counterpart Dr. Hashim Yamani, minister of commerce and industry, Pakistan’s Ambassador Shahid Karimullah and senior government officials.
A Pakistan Embassy spokesman told Arab News that the seven-member Pakistani team led by Akhtar will hold talks with a Saudi team headed by Dr. Yamani on issues related to trade, commerce, investment, education, Haj and Umrah. They are also expected to discuss free trade agreement with the GCC countries.
He said the two parties are expected to sign an agreement tomorrow.
Bilateral trade between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan annually averages around $2.5 billion, over 2 billion of which constitute Pakistan’s oil and oil-related imports. The Kingdom has given licenses to 20 Pakistani companies to work under Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA).