Pakistan, Mauritius to upgrade PTA to FTA

Mauritius president for more collaboration in research; visits mausoleum of Quaid-i-Azam

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Mauritius agreed to upgrade existing Preferential Trade Agreement to a Free Trade Agreement at an early date.

A statement from the Foreign Office Tuesday said the decision came at the delegation level meeting between the two sides during the four-day visit of president of Mauritius Dr Bibi Ameenah Gurib Fakim to Pakistan. The two countries inked the PTA on July 30, 2007. Pakistan was the first country to have inked the PTA with Mauritius, as it has a huge potential for Pakistani products and serves as gateway to the entire African region. During the talks, the two sides also reviewed the current status of bilateral relations and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen cooperative ties with particular focus on economy and trade.

President Dr Gurib Fakim informed President Mamnoon about the desire of Mauritius to deepen relations with Pakistan which was considered an important country. She said her government would arrange a Pakistan week to mark forthcoming Independence Day in Mauritius with a view to increase people to people contacts. The president urged Pakistan side to take advantage of the strategic location of Mauritius as a gateway to African continent.

Planning Development and Reforms Minister Prof Ahsan Iqbal, Minister of State for National Health Services Coordination and Regulation Ms Saira Afzal Tarar and Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi paid separate calls on the president of Mauritius and discussed ways to enhance ties in fields.

Dr Bibi Ameenah underlined the need for increasing collaboration between her country and Pakistan in trade tourism education health and research fields. During her visit to Hussain Ebrahim Jamal (HEJ) Institute of Chemistry at University of Karachi, the president of Mauritius praised the quality of Pakistani educational institutes especially HEJ Institute.

In a dialogue with the faculty members and students at HEJ Institute s International Centre for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS) she said there was big potential to enhance bilateral trade. Pakistan could get access to African region through Mauritius and the latter could reach Central Asia via Pakistan. This would help boost two economies to the benefit of both the nations.

She said the Mauritius government had focused on research and increasing knowledge base of the people.She regretted that less investment was being made in research in the world in general. Since its independence in 1968, Mauritius is a knowledge-based economy, she informed adding the talented individuals were the real wealth of a country. Dr Gurib Fakim has done PhD in chemistry from United Kingdom and written 26 books of international repute besides many papers on chemistry. She had won many national and international awards.

Mauritius president said in 2001 she had joined as a professor in a university in Mauritius and then became vice chancellor before being picked up as head of the state in recognition of her research work and other educational services.

She acknowledged the research work of HEJ Institute of Chemistry and said it was her second visit to it over last three years. I am a part of HEJ family she remarked. Gurib Fakim said that she was going to sign memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with HEJ Institute of Chemistry and Greenwich University on joint research and study programmes.

She said first International Women Conference on Climatic and Agriculture was being held in June 2016 in Mauritius. Mauritius president said that she was a Muslim by birth and by practices. High Commissioner of Mauritius in Islamabad Yousuf Illahi and Honorary Consul General Sohail Yasin were prominent in her delegation.

Dr Attaur Rehman, former federal minister for science and technology, and patron in chief of International Centre for Chemical and Biological Science of HEJ Institute engaged with her in a dialogue on important scientific and economic issues facing both the countries. The traditional gift of Ajrak (Sindhi Chadar) was given to her and other delegates.

Dr Bibi Ameenah paid a visit to Mausoleum of Quaid-i-Azam Tuesday. She offered Fateha and marked her impressions in the visitors’ book. She paid homage to the father of nation and appreciated his services. On the occasion, Mauritius president was accompanied by advisor to Sindh Chief Minister Sharmila Farooqui.