15 September 2004	Wednesday	29 Rajab 1425

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DUSHANBE, Sept 14: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Tuesday spelt out a five-point strategy to realize Economic Cooperation Organization's (Eco) goals of economic integration.

Addressing the Eco summit here, he said the organization's policies must be result-oriented and called for devising a mechanism to ensure their implementation. Elaborating on the strategy to achieve Eco goals, the prime minister stressed the need for operationalizing the Eco trade agreement, transit transport agreement and the Eco Trade and Development Bank at the earliest.

He said the member countries should fully utilize the dynamism and initiative of the private sector and linkages with other regional blocs on a priority basis. Referring to challenges of globalization, he said: "We should overcome our shortcomings and harness our resources to become globally competitive.

"We have to increase our economic strength and improve the skills of our peoples. We must acquire technological prowess and augment vibrancy of our institutions," Mr Aziz said.

He emphasized that regional cooperation was an effective response to the challenges of globalization. "Eco represents our best hope for expansion of trade and economic relations."

Pakistan with its geographic proximity to Central Asia, he said, was prepared to play a key role. "Our capital is closer to many Eco countries and Pakistan offers the shortest route to the sea."

"Pakistan is developing additional infrastructure which will serve both our bilateral as well as transit trade with Central Asia," he said. The Gwadar port was nearing completion and offered tremendous prospects, he said, adding it lay outside the traditional areas of conflict. Mr Aziz informed the summit that Pakistan was studying prospects of linking Peshawar to Termez in Uzbekistan and Chaman to Kushka in Turkmenistan.

RETURNS HOME: The prime minister returned home on Tuesday night after attending the Eco summit. -APP

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