JEDDAH, 25 May 2004 — Pakistani Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali yesterday described his talks with Crown Prince Abdullah as “positive” and said they reflected the depth and closeness of relations between the two countries.
“We had a very positive meeting and discussed a whole range of issues with an emphasis on enhancing trade and (our) economic relationship,” he said after meeting the crown prince.
A press statement quoted him as saying the commonality of views between the two countries was reaffirmed by their understanding on a host of regional and international issues.
The talks “reflected the warmth and depth of relations between our two brotherly countries,” Jamali said.
It said the crown prince “directed senior officials at economic and commercial ministries to work on ways to increase bilateral cooperation.”
Earlier, Additional Secretary for Foreign Affairs Shafqat Saeed said the two leaders also discussed cooperation in the fight against terrorism.
The situation in South Asia, the Middle East, Afghanistan, Iraq, restructuring of the Organization of the Islamic Conference and a program of “enlightened moderation” proposed by Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf also came under discussion.
The statement said during the meeting the two leaders agreed to improve trade and commercial cooperation with a view to further strengthening their close ties.
Jamali also raised the question of increasing the Haj quota for Pakistanis and said the crown prince promised to look into the matter.
Jamali also briefed Prince Abdullah about the “fast-improving economic scenario” in Pakistan and said the country offered “tremendous prospects” for Saudi investors.
Jamali said he conveyed a message of goodwill from Musharraf to the Saudi leadership.
Pakistan’s ambassador to the Kingdom last night said Jamali’s visit was bound to have a positive effect on the countries’ bilateral trade, which increased from $800 million to $1.8 billion in the last four years.
Abdul Aziz Mirza said Pakistani exports to Saudi Arabia, which hovered around $150 million for four years last year totaled $480 million.
“This 148 percent increase over the last four years has been possible due to consistency in Pakistan’s economic policies and bold reforms, speaks of Pakistan’s vast economic potential,” the envoy said.
“We believe that two countries have vast potential to raise their trade to higher levels,” he said. Pakistan mainly imports petroleum products from Saudi Arabia, the ambassador said.
