Mauritius President visits Pakistan, meets President, Ministers

The President of Mauritius, Her Excellency Mrs. Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, GCSK, CSK, PhD, accompanied by a 9-members delegation, is on a four-day visit to Pakistan. A formal welcome ceremony, which included a Tri Services Guard of Honour, took place today at the Presidency. Following the ceremony the two leaders held delegation level talks, where they reviewed current status of the bilateral relations and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening the cooperative ties, with particular focus on economy and trade. In this context, the two sides agreed to work for upgradation of Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) to a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) at an early date.

President Dr. Gurib-Fakim informed President Mamnoon Hussain about Mauritius desire to deepen relations with Pakistan which is considered as an important country. With a view to increase people to people contacts, the government of Mauritius will arrange a Pakistan week on the occasion of the forthcoming Independence Day of Pakistan in Mauritius. The President urged Pakistan side to take advantage of Mauritius strategic location as a gateway to African continent, which is exhibiting a great developmental potential.

The Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms, Professor Ahsan Iqbal, the Minister of State for National Health Services, Coordination and Regulation, Ms. Saira Afzal Tarrar and the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs, Syed Tariq Fatemi paid separate calls on the President of Mauritius and discussed various ways to enhance ties in different fields.

Later, the President of Mauritius departed for Karachi on the second leg of her tour.

Islamabad
18 April 2016

147/2016