ISLAMABAD, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Tuesday that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia need to work closely to expedite the first phase of Saudi investments in Pakistan under a new arrangement.
According to a statement issued from the Prime Minister's Office, Sharif held a meeting with a Saudi delegation led by Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud and discussed matters of mutual interest.
The prime minister said both countries had always stood together at all times and underscored the significance accorded by Pakistan to its longstanding fraternal, economic and strategic relations with Saudi Arabia.
Sharif said the visit of the Saudi delegation is a manifestation of the strong commitment of both countries to strengthening bilateral relations focused on mutually beneficial economic cooperation.
He briefed the Saudi delegation about the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) and its initiatives to promote investment in Pakistan by establishing cooperation of all institutions.
The statement added that the Saudi Foreign Minister said that Saudi Arabia attached high importance to its strong and close ties with Pakistan.
Later in the day, the delegation called on Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari at the President's House. During the meeting, both sides reiterated their resolve to build a strong partnership and further promote economic cooperation for the mutual benefit of the two countries.
Zardari acknowledged that the two countries enjoyed a long-standing relationship, with Pakistan looking to transform existing ties into a long-term strategic and economic partnership, the President's Office said. ■
