ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Syed Ali Haider Zaidi held a virtual conference with the US Secretary of Transport Pete Buttigieg to discuss various matters related to logistics and transportation.
Both the dignitaries initiated a dialogue between the two nations on transportation and logistics cooperation & challenges.
The direct talks between them will result in enhancing opportunities for the Country’s Maritime Sector.
Had a very productive video-con with US Secretary of Transportation @PeteButtigieg
We’ve agreed to work closely to address logistic issues, especially after the backlog created by #COVID19
Have also requested to establish a dedicated window for Seafarers at the @usconsulatekhi pic.twitter.com/OujjUWlbA0— Ali Haider Zaidi (@AliHZaidiPTI) February 2, 2022
Ali Zaidi apprised the US secretary on the many initiatives taken by the government of Pakistan through the Ministry of Maritime Affairs along with Cabinet Committee on Transport & Logistics (CCoTL).
The minister highlighted the challenges faced by Pakistani seafarers destined to US ports. For which he requested the establishment of a dedicated window at the US Consulate in Karachi to help reduce processing time for seafarers visas.
The US secretary of transport acknowledged the issue and agreed to pursue the matter with the relevant authorities.
The potential partnerships and signing of Sister Port Agreements between the US and Pakistan ports was also discussed in the meeting. Various investment opportunities for US companies in the Logistics Sector of Pakistan were also talked about.
The federal minister also presented an idea of a dedicated warehousing facility at Port Qasim specifically designed for trade between Pakistan and the US.
The Chairman Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) Air Marshal (retd) Arshad Malik was also present in the meeting.
The cooperation with the US Aviation Sector including challenges faced by PIA in the US were also discussed in detail.
Both sides agreed to jointly work to address the supply chain and logistic issues causing the rise in freight costs globally.
The meeting was attended by the Secretary Maritime Affairs Asad Hayauddin, the Additional Secretary Foreign Affairs Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, the US Chargé d’affaires in Pakistan Angela Aggeler, the CEO PIA Air Marshal (retd) Arshad Malik and other important officials.
The minister for maritime affairs expressed his gratitude to the US secretary for discussing the matters of mutual interests in the meeting and gave an invitation to visit Pakistan which was warmly accepted by the secretary.
