ISLAMABAD, 18 APR, (DNA) – President Mamnoon Hussain and President of Mauritius Dr. Bibi Ameenah Firdaus Gurib Fakim have agreed to enhance relations in areas of education, health and trade between the two countries.

This was agreed upon during a one-to-one and delegation level meeting between President Mamnoon Hussain and President of Mauritius Dr. Bibi Ameenah Firdaus Gurib Fakim at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, Islamabad on Monday.

The President said that Pakistan accords importance to its bilateral relations with Mauritius, which are decades old. The President called for increasing economic and trade relations to further promote bilateral cooperation.

The President noted that the trade volume between Pakistan and Mauritius is below potential and in this regard there should be a free trade agreement between the two countries so that bilateral trade could be bolstered.

The President welcomed contacts at institutional level between the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry and Mauritius Chambers of Commerce & Industry. The President called for establishing direct air links between the two countries so that trade, tourism and people to people contacts could be further promoted.

The President noted with appreciation that Pakistan is playing an important role in the financial sector of Mauritius and a leading Pakistani bank has established three branches in Mauritius. “Furthermore, Pakistani doctors are also rendering free of cost humanitarian services in Mauritius,” remarked the President.

The President welcomed training of students from Mauritius in Pakistani institutions in the fields of medicine, engineering and pharmacy. He said that Pakistan would continue to provide education and training facilities to Mauritius students and diplomats in future as well.

The President said that Pakistan and Mauritius harbour similar views on many issues at international level and there is cultural affinity between the two countries. The President emphasised the need to increase people to people contact through exchanges of students, academics, businessmen and parliamentarians to further cement bilateral relations.

President Mamnoon Hussain also hosted a luncheon in honor of visiting dignitary and her delegation, which was attended, by President Azad Kashmir Sardar Muhammad Yaqoob Khan, Governor Punjab Rafique Rajwana, Minister of State Anusha Rahman, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi and high officials.

President of Mauritius Dr. Bibi Ameenah Firdaus Gurib Fakim suggested that ‘Pakistan Week’ should be celebrated in Mauritius to showcase Pakistani culture, society and Pakistani products.

The visiting dignitary thanked President Mamnoon Hussain for according warm welcome and also extended an invitation to visit Mauritius, which was accepted by the President of Pakistan. President of Mauritius also appreciated the excellence of Pakistani educational institutions, in particular the Hussain Ebrahim Jamal Research Institute of Chemistry.

Earlier, President Mamnoon Hussain greeted the President of Mauritius upon her arrival at the Central Entrance of the Aiwan-e-Sadr. On the occasion, children clad in traditional dress presented bouquets to the visiting dignitary. A contingent of Pakistan Army presented Guard of Honour to President of Mauritius and national anthems of both countries were also played. =DNA

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