President Goodluck Jonathan welcomed his counterpart from Pakistan, Mamnoon Hussain, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on June 10, 2014, Tuesday, promised to boost bilateral annual trade from current level of about $100 million to at least $1 billion in the next couple of years.
* President Goodluck Jonathan welcomes the President of Pakistan Mamnoon Hussain. Photo credit - PremiumTimes
The President of Pakistan arrived in Nigeria for a three-day-long official visit. Speaking with the journalists after the meeting with Nigeria’s leader, President Hussain emphasised that the current volume of trade does not fully represent the potential both countries have.
“Both countries have a high population and the two countries also have huge resources and if they work hand in hand they will improve the wealth of our people.”
Jonathan embraced the offer of his Pakistani colleague to pay a visit in return at a later date, urged the ministries of defence, of foreign affairs and other crucial agencies of both sides to broaden cooperation in all the areas. He added that trade relations must be improved as well:
“In the next five years or so our target is that we should move from under $100 million to at least $1 billion. We are now out to encourage more robust trade relations.”
President Jonathan further noted that both countries may establish promising business in the in the area of agriculture, as Pakistan has good experience in it.
As the first step in this direction, Mamnoon Hussain would meet Nigerian businessmen in Lagos on June 11, 2014, Wednesday, and open a Pakistan Commercial Station there.
The agreements were signed after bilateral talks on Tuesday at the, Abuja between Mr. Jonathan and the Pakistani leader.
The two presidents put their signatures under several bilateral agreements and memoranda of understanding which cover such sectors as agriculture, industry, trade and cultural exchanges joint actions against drug trafficking and terrorism, poverty reduction and human capacity development.
It is the first contact between the two courtiers on the highest level in 32 years; therefore, President Jonathan tagged the visit of his Pakistani colleague as historic, adding that one more fact made it important:
“Just like Nigeria is suffering from terror attack, Pakistan is also experiencing terror attack. Just like we are still battling on how we would get our young girls from Chibok out from the hands of the terrorists.”
President Mamnoon Hussain of Pakistan intended to visit Nigeria with 70-man delegation on April 21, 2014. However, due to alleged security precautions, particularly, the deadly Nyanya bomb blast in Abuja, the visit has been postponed for an indefinite period. The decision was considered as another blow on image of Nigeria at the international arena.
Unlike the previous time, the current state visit has not been widely announced by media and was more confidential. See more photos from today's meeting below:
* President Jonathan welcomes Pakistani President, Mamnoon Hussain, to Nigeria at the State House. Photo credit – Reuben Abati
* VP Namadi Sambo exchanging pleasantries with the Pakistani President on official visit to Nigeria at the Presidential Villa. Photo credit – Reuben Abati
* Bilateral Briefing by President Jonathan and his Pakistani counterpart. Photo credit – Reuben Abati
READ MORE: http://news.naij.com/67917.html
READ MORE: http://news.naij.com/67917.html
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