ISLAMABAD, Jan 13: President of Eritrea along with some businessmen will visit Pakistan during next month to hold discussions for promoting bilateral trade and economic cooperation.

This was stated by ambassador of Eritrea to Pakistan, Abdu M. Heggi in a meeting with Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Zubair Ahmed Malik here on Tuesday.

The envoy pointed out that Eritrea imported a number of commodities of Pakistan origin from Dubai. He highlighted the importance of developing direct commercial relations with Pakistan to promote trade and economic cooperation and listed areas of interest such as textiles, construction, low cost housing, pharmaceuticals, light engineering and agriculture.

Primarily an agricultural economy, Eritrea also has industries such as food processing, beverages, clothing and textiles. Eritrea's natural resources include gold, potash, zinc, copper, salt and natural gas. Its major trading partners are Sudan, Ethiopia, Japan, the UAE, Italy, the UK and Germany.

Mr Malik has offered ICCI's full cooperation and support for promoting trade and commerce between the two countries. He indicated that the ICCI would be glad to meet the President of Eritrea and arrange meeting of Pakistani businessmen with the businessmen's delegation from Eritrea.

Mr Malik stressed the importance of close cooperation between the business communities in Pakistan and Eritrea. He indicated that ICCI would be glad to arrange a delegation of businessmen from Pakistan to visit Eritrea and explore prospects of bilateral trade between the two countries.