To enhance the bilateral trade cooperation in trade, commerce and mutual investment in fields such as textile, energy and pharmaceutical between the two countries, Pakistan and Azerbaijan, a meeting was held on Wednesday between Pakistan Federal Minister for Finance, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar and Shahin Abdulla Mustaffayev, Minister of Economy and Industry of Azerbaijan, in Baku.

Pakistan Ambassador Khalid Usman Qaiser, Secretary (EAD) Muhammad Saleem Sethi, Azeri Ambassador Dashgin Shikarov and other officials of Azeri Ministry of Economy and Industry were also present at the meeting.

The two sides agreed to facilitate and encourage businessmen from both sides to undertake joint ventures and value addition projects in order to achieve quick and best results in the said fields.

The two Ministers expressed satisfaction on the bilateral relations that favourably exist between Pakistan and Azerbaijan and discussed ways and means to boost bilateral co-operation. The Finance Minister apprised the Economy Minister about the macro-economic measures undertaken by Pakistan, explained the development strategy and peaceful neighbourhood policy of the government of Pakistan under the leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif.

They also emphasised the need to transform excellent bilateral political relations into expansion of bilateral co-operation in economic, trade and investment areas between the two countries.

To promote bilateral business and investment relations, Finance Minister Dar extended an invitation to Economy and Industry Minister Shahin to visit Pakistan which was gladly accepted.