ISLAMABAD, Oct 29: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz will use his forthcoming visit to three South Asian countries to explore the possibilities of enhancing bilateral trade and economic relations with Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan.

As such, according to informed sources, ministers of economic, textile, water and power and their officials as well as five representatives of private sector and four parliamentarians looking after foreign trade and the economy will be accompanying the prime minister on the tour which essentially is a farewell call on Saarc member countries by the outgoing chairman of the South Asian regional grouping.

Besides the 14 official members of the delegation, Prime Minister Aziz will also be accompanied by 26 additional persons which would include mediamen and security staff as well. Pakistan does not have any significant trade and economic relations with either Nepal or Bhutan. But with Bangladesh there is a fair degree of two-way trade.

The members of official delegation are reported to have already lined up extensive meetings with their counterparts in these three countries and hopefully are likely to clinch some lucrative bilateral trade and economic deals aimed at mutual benefit.