ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif says there is a considerable scope to enhance cooperation between Pakistan and Oman in trade, commerce, investment and other sectors.

Talking to Foreign Minister of Oman Yousuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah who called on him on Monday, Mr Sharif appreciated Oman’s keen interest in creating closer linkages between Pakistani and Omani seaports.

He said the possibility of launching government-to-government and commercial ferry services between Pakistan and Oman would open a new sector to enhance connectivity, people-to-people contacts and bilateral trade.

“We are also grateful to the Omani government for taking good care of Pakistanis serving in Oman, and especially those employed in Royal Omani Armed Forces,” Mr Sharif said.

The prime minister praised the special importance attached to relations with Pakistan by Sultan Qaboos while underlining the need for regular political dialogue between the two countries at the foreign ministers’ level.

The Omani minister thanked the prime minister for the warm welcome extended to him and his delegation.

Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz said during his meeting with the visiting minister: “We share perceptions on a number of matters of mutual interest and issues related to promotion of regional peace and stability and have agreed on regular political dialogue.

“Oman is Pakistan’s closest maritime neighbour sharing bonds of affinity with our region, particularly in Gwadar. We have excellent opportunities to take advantage of the complementarities between our economies and the proximity that we enjoy.” He said these commonalities were great for forging a deeper political and economic partnership.

Mr Aziz discussed the linkages between the maritime interfaces, airports and seaports offered by the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and Gwadar port and also stressed regular interactions, enhancement of investment by Omani companies, necessary facilitation, increased trade and regular exchange of delegations between the two countries.

In reference to a visit of Chairman State Council (upper house) Dr Yahya bin Mahfoudh Al Mantheri in January last, Mr Aziz said: “We look forward for more frequent exchanges between our parliamentarians in future.”

Later, the foreign minister of Oman told the media that there were a huge potential of mutual cooperation to benefit the people of the region.

“We have a variety of opportunities for each other and the emerging CPEC is another milestone for mutual cooperation to establishing industrial zones.”

He also highlighted the Free Trade Agreement with different countries which he said could be of great benefit to Pakistani investors by using Omani export processing zones for onward exports.

He said that his country had some special services and technical knowhow which would be beneficial for Pakistan.

Published in Dawn, May 09th, 2017