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Azerbaijan, Nigeria interested in JF-17 aircraft, other defence products: president
ISLAMABAD: President Mamnoon Hussain has said that Azerbaijan and Nigeria are interested in purchasing Pakistani defence products, including the upgraded JF-17 fighter aircraft.
“Azerbaijan and Nigeria will soon become buyers of Pakistani products,” he said during a meeting with a delegation of Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) at the Presidency.
He said Nigeria had expressed its desire to buy Pakistani defence products, including JF-17 Thunder and Mashaq aircraft.
Referring to his recent visit to Azerbaijan, the president said he had discussed ways of enhancing cooperation between the two countries in different areas.
He said Azerbaijan did not allow foreign banks to operate unless they show $50 million as equity but at his request it had allowed the National Bank of Pakistan to function with $10 million of equity.
“Exporters should benefit from such developments in friendly countries,” he said.
Talking about the government’s economic policies, the president said the priority was to extend all possible facilities to business community. “Reduction of power tariff by Rs3 per unit for industrial sector is a part of this facilitation process,” he added.
The government has been in constant contact with the business community to address different issues in cooperation with them. “The country’s exports have witnessed increase consequent to the facilities extended by the government to the business community,” he said.
The Ministry of Commerce has approved a three-year policy framework after consultation with all stakeholders to promote business activities and bring an end to unemployment.
He said restoration of law and order was inevitable for stabilising economy and enhancing trade activities in the country, adding that measures were being taken to eradicate terrorism. He reiterated the government’s resolve to continue the Zarb-i-Azb military operation and uproot terrorism.
The president said the government was determined to end the energy crisis. “Construction of dams has been started and the government was taking full advantage of solar energy,” he said.
Urging the business community to enhance exports, the president said the government had signed free trade agreements with a number of countries and now the business community should benefit from all the agreements to boost exports.
“Recent 21 per cent increase in exports to the European Union is encouraging.”
Published in Dawn, January 9th, 2016
Comments (31) Closed
Keep it up Pakistan, now we will emerge as the largest defense exporter in the world and one of the world's strongest militaries.
How much money can be earned in brokerage. They should directly buy from china to reduce cost.
Who cares about "interest" or MOUs. Show us signed deals. Thats what counts. Thus far their have been none.
Pakistan defence export initiative is solely to improve defence capabilities of friendly countries... Days are not far when US, Russia and others will start importing Made in Pakistan state of the art fighter aircrafts and other products...
@alien hahahah after pressurizing Srilanka now start pressurize these two countries too to by LCA instead of JF 17 thunder, the offer presented by neighbour is very cheap.
Great news! Long live Pakistan.
What? Said President? Lol
Doen it ring a bell!? Where have we heard this tale before?
i hope we do not send the planes to an unconfirmed address in Nigeria before the payment.
@Radiohead Or in exchange for a promise to share 50% of a dormant (non-existent) bank account, worth $50 million somewhere in Africa - for a single plane! ;-)
Guess which country will do its best to harm Pakistan's interest.
The order is near done. Mayanmar and Egypt are near final agreement. Expected sale this year 100 J 17s this year. Big bucks.
@Zak Enlighten us.
Great work!
@Ahmed USA There are many private US arms suppliers who purchase POF firearms
I sent for a free sample in 2008. Still waiting for delivery before placing an order.
@Skeptic , you should enjoy the Lower Caste Aircraft
I wanted to place order for one JF 17....
@alien when more than half the aircraft is manufactured in pakistan and pakistan is 51 percent owner of the project your advice makes sense. Do try to keep up
Azerbaijan and Nigeria? IS JF-17 so low quality?
@Canada . Defence deals are partly political . Long term political alignment is important. countries who see no no conflict of interest in long term will be your buyers . And they take time to make long commitments.
Do we produce anything else to export to these countries? I doubt this very much because our focus is entirely on defense and defense related products.
Good to see Pakistan growing
@Indian.Thanks
These people need to talk less and come up with documents signed under dotted lines.
Great News
Pakistan Zindabad, PAF painda baad. Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) Kamra is the world best complex of Aircraft Manufacturing Factories. we may extend our full cooperation toward Muslim countries.
This is foolish. One day West gets a hand so does Israel on this technology, we are doomed. They can figure out every nook and cranny plus get all equipment to figure out to jam systems on board. Once they test it on other air forces, ours will be done. US has export controls, their planes sold cannot be allowed to be seen by another country.
@alien Mr Pakistan has 58 prcnt shares and Chinas has 42. Than now tell me from whom they should buy these aircrafts. Pakistan is marketing this aircraft we are integrating new weapons and avionics to make Jf-17 a mature platform.So, the buyers will come to us not China when they have to buy these aircrafts.
@Ahmed USA The optimism of my countrymen always fascinates me. :)
Azerbaijan and Nigeria ?? Do not we find some good looking countries?