Niger to set up SEZ in Pakistan

Islamabad: Niger had planned to establish a special economic zone (SEZ) to attract investment in the manufacturing sector of Pakistan.

Federal Minister for Industries & Production Makhdum Khusro Bakhtyar welcomed and met with his counterpart Gado Sabo Muctar, Minister of Industries and Commerce this afternoon. Secretary Industries and Production, H.E Mr.Ahmed Ali Sirohry, Ambassador of Pakistan in Niger and representative of the Business community of Niger & FPCCI Pakistan were also present at the meeting.

The visit of Niger’s Cabinet Minister was aimed at building on the priorities set by Niger’s Government to boost economic ties with Pakistan.

In opening remarks, the Honorable Minister thanked the Government of Niger for extending support of Pakistan on the Kashmir issue. He said that the GOP had launched the ‘Look Africa Initiative’ during the tenure of the current government which envisaged various measures to enhance trade with Africa and increase outreach to major African economies.

While highlighting the Investment-friendly policies of the government, the Minister said that Pakistan is willing to tap the huge potential of Niger’s market through bilateral trade cooperation in the field of textile, auto industry, mining, and agriculture.

The Minister underlined the importance of enhancing economic outreach through formal structure accompanied by regular high-level contacts, government-to-government, and business-to-business interactions. He proposed to form a working group on industrial cooperation under Joint Ministerial Commission between Niger and Pakistan to embark upon joint ventures related to business and trade.

During the meeting, Mr. Muctar shared the plan of Niger’s Government to establish a special economic zone for Pakistan to attract investment and manufacturing sector from Pakistan in Niger. He said that the prime focus is to set up a joint working group for exchange of experience at both policy and operational level for setting up SEZs, so that, both countries would establish long-term trade relations.