PESHAWAR: Ambassador of Azerbaijan in Pakistan, Ali Alizada, has said that direct flights between his country and Pakistan would start from next year, which will help strengthen the bilateral trade and economic relations as well as people-to-people contacts. He said that his country’s investors were keen to make investment in potential sectors in Pakistan.

The envoy said this while speaking during a meeting with the business community, which was chaired by Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Maqsood Anwar Pervaiz here on Thursday.

The envoy and representatives of the business community agreed to make joint efforts to boost trade and economic relations between Pakistan and Azerbaijan.

The meeting discussed investment opportunities in diverse sectors and further possibilities of cooperation, joint ventures, exchange of business delegations and establishment of people-to-people contacts between the two countries.

The ambassador said that Azerbaijan gave much importance to cementing mutual trade, economic and cultural relations with Pakistan. He said that his country had supported Pakistan’s stance on Kashmir issue. He emphasised that the issue of Kashmir should be resolved according to the UN resolutions to give the people of Kashmir the right to self-determination.

Mr Pervaiz invited the business community of Azerbaijan to make investment in hydel power generation, oil and gas, LPG, mines, mineral, gemstones, agriculture, medicine, fruits, livestock, honey and other sectors.

Mr Alizada on this occasion agreed with the recommendations of SCCI president and assured him they would issue visas to the business community on priority basis to boost trade ties between the two countries.

The envoy said that his country had lucrative destination for foreign investors and asked the business community to make investment in information technology, software engineering, tourism and other potential sectors in Azerbaijan.

On this occasion, Faiz Mohammad Faizi and other members of the business community gave a number of suggestions to enhance mutual trade and economic ties between the two countries.

Published in Dawn, November 29th, 2019