President Mamnoon Hussain has underlined the need for building a mutually beneficial relationship between Pakistan and Cuba.He was talking to Pakistan’s Ambassador-designate to Cuba Kamran Shafi who called on him in Islamabad.The President emphasized on further strengthening political, economic and cultural bonds between the two countries. He stated that while bilateral trade between Pakistan and Cuba has increased substantially during the past years, it is still not at par with the potential that exists between the two countries.

The President noted that while trade is the domain of businessmen, it is the government’s job to provide a conducive environment for trade activities. He underlined the need for both countries to encourage traders to participate in the trade fairs held in the two countries not only to showcase their products but also to identify opportunities for expanding trade relations further.
Mamnoon Hussain called for focusing on the scope for building cooperation in other areas including medical research, disaster management, biotechnology, higher education, culture, sports and tourism. He highlighted that Pakistan could also benefit from Cuban experiences in the areas of medical science and health care.