Manama: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has announced that the Pakistan-GCC Free Trade Agreement, set to be signed soon, will significantly boost trade between Pakistan and GCC-member countries, with a particular emphasis on enhancing ties with Bahrain. Addressing the business community in Manama, the Prime Minister emphasized his government’s readiness to support joint ventures, facilitate investment plans, and assist in a mutually rewarding journey of progress.
According to Radio Pakistan, Prime Minister Sharif urged Bahrain’s leadership and business community to collaborate with Pakistan to invigorate the country’s economy, especially in the sectors of industry, agriculture, IT, and Fintech. He highlighted the longstanding cultural, religious, and strategic ties between Pakistan and Bahrain, underscoring the need to transform these relations into robust economic partnerships.
The Prime Minister expressed Pakistan’s willingness to enhance economic cooperation with Bahrain across various domains, including agriculture, IT, artificial intelligence, and Fintech. He extended gratitude to Bahrain’s leadership, including the King, Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, Crown Prince, and Foreign Minister, for their steadfast commitment to Pakistan, noting that the meetings with them were extremely productive.
Shehbaz Sharif also commended the vibrant Pakistani community in Bahrain for their dedication to the development of both nations. He noted that the community had sent remittances amounting to 484 million dollars during the last financial year, which he described as highly commendable.
The Prime Minister expressed deep gratitude to Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa for the warm hospitality extended to him and his delegation during their two-day visit. Earlier, Bahrain’s Minister for Finance and National Economy, Shaikh Salman Bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, welcomed Prime Minister Sharif and his delegation, acknowledging the role of the Pakistani diaspora and financial institutions in Bahrain’s development.
The Minister highlighted the region’s transformation into a hub of innovation, sustainability, and technological excellence, offering vast investment opportunities for Pakistani businesses and tech companies in sectors such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, metals, automotive components, and electronics.