ISLAMABAD, June 6: Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri on Monday said a delegation of Qatari entrepreneurs would visit Pakistan shortly in the wake of President Pervez Musharraf’s visit which imparted a new vigour to bilateral ties with the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. “Our close relationship with the UAE and Qatar will reach new levels through enhanced economic interaction as a result of President Pervez Musharraf’s visit to the Gulf countries,” he told newsmen.

The foreign minister said businessmen in Abu Dhabi and Doha are eyeing more economic opportunities in Pakistan as they view the recent economic achievements of Pakistan as highly impressive and investor-friendly.

Minister for Labour and Manpower Ghulam Sarwar Khan observed that the president’s meaningful interaction with the Qatari leader paved the way for export of more Pakistani manpower to the energy-rich Gulf country.

“The Qatari Government has agreed to remove restrictions on import of Pakistani workforce and now skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled Pakistanis will be able to proceed to the country for better economic opportunities,” he said.

In his remarks Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Resources Naseer Khan Mengal said the unrivalled reception accorded to the President during the visit was a clear reflection of the esteem and high regard the Gulf leadership had for the Pakistani leader.

“I have been ambassador to the Gulf country but I have never seen such an unprecedented expression of respect and unique welcome accorded to a foreign leader - the UAE president and the emir of Qatar not only personally welcomed the president but also saw him off at the airports,” he said and added that discussions on gas pipeline were positive.

Minister of State for Water and Power Amir Muqam said the business leaders in both the countries were deeply impressed by President Musharraf’s commitment to economic development of Pakistan and continuity of his fiscal reforms.

“This has definitely increased prospects of more foreign investment coming into Pakistan from the brotherly Gulf countries and we will see a bright outcome of this visit,” he said.—-APP