Envoys pay farewell call on Senate Chairman
Preferential trade agreement with Mauritius soon
By Asim Hussain

ISLAMABAD—Pakistan and Turkey have always stood by each other in the hour of need and their friendship will stand the test of time in future as well.
This was stated by the Chairman Senate, Mohammedmian Soomro whiletalking to the outgoing Ambassador of Turkey Mr. Kemal Gur, who paid a farewell call on him here Wednesday.
He said both the countries are bound together by centuries old ties of history, religion and culture. This friendship, he said, transcends all boundaries and barriers. The people of Pakistan have a genuine regard for their Turkish brethren, he added. The Chairman said that there is still a wide scope for furtherconsolidating this friendship in the fields of trade, commerce and investment. The economic relations between the two countries can be further expanded to the mutual advantage of both the countries.
He particularly highlighted the fact that Pakistan has, over the years, emerged as an attractive destination for investors the world over. He invited Turkish entrepreneurs and businessmen to invest and set up their business ventures in the country.
He observed that the climate of the investment is extremely conducive owing to the far-reaching economic reforms initiated by the Government in the different areas of the economy.
The Chairman Senate also commended the efforts of Mr. Kemal Gur in further promoting Pak-Turkish relations and said he would always be remembered as a great friend of Pakistan.
The outgoing Ambassador said that Pakistan was just like his 2nd homeland and he thoroughly enjoyed working in Pakistan and his stay wasextremely pleasant. He said that he would always cherish the memories of his stay in Pakistan. The High Commissioner of the Republic of Mauritius, Mr. Rafhic Jahangeeralso paid a farewell call on the Chairman Senate this morning and exchanged views with him on matters relating to Pak-Mauritius relations.
He informed the Senate Chairman that there still existed vast potential for improving the ties in the field of trade and economy. He disclosed that necessary spadework for Preferential Trade Agreement between Pakistan and Mauritius has already been carried out and that the agreement is likely to be signed within a couple of weeks.
He said that he had been constantly in touch with the localindustrialists and businessmen and the economic relations between the two countries were improving rapidly. The Mauritius High Commissioner further said that his country would benefit from the privatization process successfully carried out by Pakistan.
The Senate Chairman, Mr. Mohammedmian Soomro informed the HighCommissioner that Pakistan has been able to achieve sustained economic growth as a result of the successful economic policies.
He further informed the High Commissioner that women in Pakistan have been empowered so much so that they have been given adequate representation at local, provincial and national level.
He was of the view that the private sectors of both the countries canpromote greater interaction for enhancing the business and commercial relations between the two countries.