ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is hosting an Envoys Conference focused on Africa in Islamabad on November 27-28, 2019 which aims at deepening Pakistan’s engagement with Africa in diverse fields in consistent with the vision of the leadership, and priorities of the government.
The President of Pakistan Dr Arif Alvi will address the Inaugural Session of the Conference.
In a statement, the Foreign Office Spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal said that Pakistan’s relations with African nations have always been characterized by cordiality, mutual trust and understanding.
The two-day Conference shall bring together the Pakistani Envoys posted in Africa with important stakeholders including senior leadership from relevant ministries and departments and representatives of the private sector.
Africa is the second largest continent of the world with 20% of the world’s landmass and 54 sovereign states, with 1.2 billion people and the largest youth population on the globe.
With a collective GDP of over US $ 2.3 trillion and an import market of around $ 500 billion, most countries in Africa are witnessing stable growth.
Due to its rich natural resources and growing middle-class consumer market, the World Bank has predicted that most African countries will reach middle income status by 2025. This presents a tremendous opportunity for Pakistani goods and services.
As part of UN peace-keeping operations, Pakistan has made a significant contribution for peace, security and development on the Continent over the past several decades.
The Envoys Conference participants shall deliberate on ways and means to further strengthen existing relations with African countries and diversify and deepen political, economic, security and socio cultural ties.
The Conference will also provide leading manufacturers, exporters and IT organizations the opportunity to brief the Pakistani Envoys on potential goods and services which can be exported to African markets.
Furthermore, leading academics and representatives of think-tanks will share their perspectives and recommendations.
In addition to the Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, the Conference will be addressed inter-alia by the Prime Minister’s Advisor on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood, the Chairman Board of Investment (BOI) Zubair Gilani and the Governor State Bank of Pakistan Syed Reza Baqir.
The Conference also envisages interaction with Resident Ambassadors of Africa in Pakistan.
The Conference outcomes shall be presented to Prime Minister Imran Khan in the closing session along with concrete recommendations crafted by the Envoys, proposing a way forward for robust engagement between Pakistan and Africa.
