ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday invited investors and traders from Guatemala to invest in the South Asian country under the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) framework, which serves as a single-window platform for investment in key sectors such as agriculture, information technology, energy, mining, and defence production.
During a meeting at the Presidency with the former President of Guatemala and current Speaker of its Parliament, Jimmy Morales, the President said that Pakistan greatly values its relations with Guatemala and seeks to enhance cooperation in trade, investment, and people-to-people exchanges.
Highlighting the shared challenges both countries face in rural development, climate resilience, and economic modernisation, President Zardari identified sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, and health sciences as promising areas for practical collaboration.
He also appreciated Guatemala’s support for Pakistan at the United Nations, including its backing for Pakistan’s candidacies to the Human Rights Council and the UN Security Council.
The President called for continued cooperation at multilateral forums and emphasised the importance of strengthening parliamentary and institutional linkages through dialogue and exchanges, noting that geographical distance should not hinder engagement between the two friendly nations.
Mr Morales thanked Pakistan for hosting the Inter-Parliamentary Speakers Conference and for inviting him to participate. He said that such interactions would pave the way for new opportunities for cooperation between the two countries.
Stronger economic engagement with Philippines
Meanwhile, former president and current Member of the House of Representatives of the Philippines, Gloria Macapagal, called on President Asif Ali Zardari in Islamabad.
The President also called for stronger economic engagement between the two countries, emphasising the need to boost trade in food and pharmaceutical products and to encourage greater collaboration between their private sectors.
The President said Pakistan and the Philippines share over seven decades of enduring friendship and cooperation across political, economic, and defence fields, Radio Pakistan reported.
The President reaffirmed Pakistan’s appreciation for the Philippines’ continued support for Pakistan’s engagement with ASEAN.
He expressed solidarity with the people and government of the Philippines over the loss of lives and widespread damage caused by the recent earthquake.
Ms Macapagal reaffirmed her country’s resolve to deepen cooperation with Pakistan in trade, defence, and people-to-people exchanges. She expressed sympathy over the loss of lives in terrorist attacks in Pakistan.
