KARACHI, March 25: The President of Vietnam, Tran Duc Luong, arrived here on Thursday evening from Islamabad on the second leg of his four-day visit to Pakistan.

At the airport, the Vietnamese president and his delegation of 97 people, including 47 government officials and 50 businessmen, were warmly welcomed by Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan and high officials. The visiting president was accompanied by Minister-in-waiting Liaquat Ali Khan Jatoi.

On arrival of the distinguished guests, a girl dressed in traditional costume presented a bouquet to the Vietnamese president. Later, President Tran Duc Luong and Sindh Governor Ishratul Ibad had an informal exchange of views at the VVIP lounge of the airport.

Talking to newsmen at the airport, the governor said that the visiting guests were likely to explore the opportunities for investment here. He said that in his informal talks with the distinguished guest at the airport, he apprised him briefly of the Pakistan Steel Mills and the expansion that was being carried out besides the capacity of the Karachi Port.

He said the distinguished visitor also inquired about the metropolis and its economy. The governor said that he informed the visiting president that Karachi was a port city and also shed light on its significance as the economic hub of Pakistan besides the nerve centre.

Dr Ibad said that he would be having a detailed meeting on Friday with the distinguished guest, who is on a two-day visit to Karachi. On Friday night, he said that a dinner would be hosted in honour of the Vietnamese president and members of his delegation at the Governor's House.

He said that the distinguished guests would also visit the mausoleum of the Quaid-i-Azam in the morning and lay wreath and pay homage to the Quaid. Mr Tran will later visit the Karachi Shipyard and address the meeting of the Pakistan-Vietnam Business Council. -APP