Islamabad: Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal engaged in pivotal discussions with Saudi Investment Minister Khalid Bin Abdulaziz Al Faleh today at Serena Hotel, focusing on bolstering Pakistan-Saudi Arabia economic and trade relationships, enhancing agricultural productivity, and exploring advancements in water desalination technologies.
According to Press Information Department, Minister Iqbal highlighted the enduring nature of Pakistan-Saudi relations and emphasized the potential for significant economic cooperation to strengthen these ties further. He recounted the success of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects as a model for transformative economic initiatives and proposed similar collaborative efforts with Saudi Arabia. The ministers discussed increasing bilateral trade, which stood at $4.6 billion in 2022, and the potential for agricultural exports.
The conversation also covered strategic economic frameworks, including Pakistan’s Vision 2025, aiming to position the country as a trillion-dollar economy by 2035. Minister Iqbal proposed initiatives to enhance the technical skills of Pakistani labor in Saudi Arabia to maintain their contribution to the Saudi economy. Moreover, discussions on using desalination technology, supported by Chinese research, were aimed at addressing water scarcity challenges.
Both ministers expressed optimism about the future of the Pakistan-Saudi-China partnership, with the Saudi minister outlining his country’s efforts to lower desalination costs and extend cooperation to support Pakistan’s long-term economic goals.