ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasized the importance of collaboration on Wednesday, calling for increased partnership between Pakistan and France in the domains of trade and investment. He extended an invitation to French businesses to explore investment opportunities in Pakistan.
During a meeting with Nicolas Galey, the Ambassador of France in Islamabad, the Prime Minister shared these comments, as Galey paid a courtesy visit to him.
The Prime Minister, alongside Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and SAPM Tariq Fatemi, extended an invitation to French companies to invest in Pakistan. He expressed his appreciation for the French side’s intention to arrange a visit for top corporate leaders from France to Pakistan soon. Focusing on economic stabilization, the government prioritizes this matter highly.
Discussions on strategies to attract and retain top-level professionals in the country have been held; Tarar emphasizes the importance of robust business connections with the UAE.
The ambassador presented a congratulatory letter, penned by French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, to Prime Minister Shehbaz in celebration of his re-election victory. In response, the prime minister expressed his gratitude to the French leadership for their warm wishes.
He mentioned that Pakistan and France share amicable and warm relations. Although they experienced a challenging period in their connection a few years prior, both nations are now collaborating to enhance their bilateral partnership.
PM Shehbaz discussed his past encounters with French President Emmanuel Macron, including their meetings during the 2022 UNGA session and the Paris Conference on Climate Change Financing in June 2023. He also praised President Macron’s virtual presence at the Geneva Conference on Resilient Pakistan in January 2023. The prime minister once again extended an invitation for President Macron to visit Pakistan at his earliest convenience.
Situation in Gaza
Within the meeting, the Gaza situation was addressed, and the prime minister acknowledged France’s peace endeavors in the area. The French ambassador mentioned that a French delegation would visit Pakistan to engage in talks about enhancing bilateral relationships.
Furthermore, he expressed France’s interest in collaborating with Pakistan in multilateral settings, such as the United Nations, to foster stronger international ties.
Attracting top talent
During a meeting, the prime minister addressed the need for new strategies to attract and retain top-tier talent within the nation. Emphasizing the significance of a skilled workforce in today’s world, he stressed the importance of cultivating a world-class talent pool to ensure the country’s prosperity.
The gathering aimed to integrate technical experts and consultants from the private sector into the public sector, as mentioned in a press release from the PM Office Media Wing.
The meeting focused on strategies to develop a more proficient workforce capable of efficiently executing the government’s policy agenda. This would be based on the principles of neutrality and hiring based on merit.
The Prime Minister formed a committee, led by the Finance Minister, to explore and solidify proposals for improving the existing work permit system in ministries. This initiative aims to address Pakistan’s talent requirements and ensure timely submission of the committee’s findings.
Tarar meets UAE envoy
On Wednesday, Minister of Information Attaullah Tarar expressed Pakistan’s desire to enhance trade and business relations with the United Arab Emirates. In a meeting with UAE Ambassador to Pakistan, Hamad Obaid Ibrahim Salem Al-Zaabi, Tarar emphasized the importance of developing a shared strategy to boost the nation’s economy.
The conversation focused on strengthening bilateral ties and exploring opportunities for collaboration in multiple sectors. During the discussion, Tarar informed the UAE ambassador about the current government’s economic initiatives.
Ambassador Hamad Obaid Ibrahim Salem Al-Zaabi stated that, as per the leadership’s shared vision for both countries, the UAE strongly believes in enhancing their bilateral ties. He added that the UAE has consistently supported Pakistan during challenging situations and remains committed to fostering its economic growth.
