Pakistan, Saudi Arabia ink over $2bn bilateral funding agreements

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif addressing Saudi Arabias delegation on October 10, 2024. — YouTube screengrab/Geo News Live
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif addressing Saudi Arabia’s delegation on October 10, 2024. — YouTube screengrab/Geo Information Stay 
  • PM says crown prince has particular curiosity in Pakistan growth. 
  • Says bilateral cooperation between each nations will get stronger.
  • “Financial relations, cooperation will additional enhance in future.”

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif hailed on Thursday Saudi Arabia’s over $2 billion funding in Pakistan as the 2 nations signed a number of memorandum of understandings (MoUs) to spice up bilateral commerce and funding. 

PM Shehbaz accompanied by Saudi Funding Minister Khalid Bin Abdul Aziz Al Falih and Chief of Military Employees Lt Common Syed Asim Munir witnessed the change of the signed copies of the MoUs at a ceremony in Islamabad.

The event comes as a high-level Saudi authorities cum enterprise delegation, led by the Kingdom’s funding minister, is visiting Pakistan for 3 days. 

“The go to of Saudi delegation, headed by funding minister, is necessary. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has a particular curiosity within the growth of Pakistan,” mentioned the prime minister throughout the MoU signing ceremony. 

The prime minister, hailing the funding, mentioned that the bilateral cooperation between each nations will get stronger with time. He mentioned that the federal government will guarantee all measures to implement the agreements. 

“Financial relations and cooperation between the 2 nations will additional enhance sooner or later. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have a long time of brotherly relations,” he added. 

PM Shehbaz mentioned that the Kingdom has supported Pakistan in each tough time, including that the Saudi minister’s go to is an necessary milestone for strengthening funding and financial relations. 

The assembly was additionally attended by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Cheif of Military Employees (COAS) Common Asim Munir and federal ministers. 

The prime minister additionally mentioned that the Particular Funding Facilitation Council (SIFC) is taking part in an necessary function in accelerating international funding.

Warmly welcoming the Saudi funding minister and his delegation to Pakistan, PM Shehbaz knowledgeable him in regards to the privatisation programme, stressing that he’s decided to take away all obstacles in funding agreements between the 2 nations. 

The agreements embrace a $70 million funding in agriculture sector, institution of superior semiconductor chip manufacturing in Saudi Arabia, institution of a textile trade, a white oil pipeline mission, an MoU for exploring funding alternatives, a hybrid energy mission, growth of transformer manufacturing services in each the nations, cyber safety measures for purchasers and companies, and the export of spices and greens from Pakistan.

Moreover, the agreements define the institution of a producing facility for surgical and dental gear and collaboration on the federal authorities’s E-Taaleem and digitalisation program.

Just lately, he mentioned that Pakistan had secured the Worldwide Financial Fund (IMF) programme which he hoped could be the final programme. He thanked the Saudi management for his or her assist in having the programme as with out their assist, the programme couldn’t have materialised.

“Lastly this programme is thru, however we hope that this would be the final programme as we have now already by means of an exquisite workforce work, managed to enhance our financial indicators, inflation got here down from 32% to six.9% this month, our coverage price has come down from 23% to 17.5%, exports are growing, international remittances are additionally growing,” he mentioned.

The prime minister additionally conveyed his heat regards to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, His Majesty King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and the crown prince, acknowledging their management and assist in enhancing bilateral ties.