NEW YORK, (DNA) – Pakistan and Qatar have vowed to strengthen bilateral ties by forging partnerships and enhancing economic and trade relations.

The resolve was expressed during a meeting of the Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and his Qatari counterpart Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani on the sidelines of UN General Assembly session in New York.

Shah Mahmood Qureshi welcomed increase in the bilateral trade by 53 percent.

He stressed the need to explore economic potential between the two countries by increasing exports in sectors such as food items, construction material, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, sports goods and fabrics.

The Qatari Foreign Minister emphasized on translating historic relations between the two countries into enhanced economic partnership.

Both sides reiterated to continue to work together at all fora for the advancement of common causes.