STAFF REPORT
ISLAMABAD: Saudi Arabia is committed to avert economic crisis of Pakistan, worsened by recent flash-floods, as this is very important for safeguarding national security and achieving political stability, said former Saudi ambassador to Pakistan Dr. Ali Awadh Asseri on Wednesday.
Addressing a seminar at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad, Asseri said that the Kingdom’s commitment in this regard was clear from the personal resolve of the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to not only address Pakistan’s immediate economic needs but also guarantee long-term investments in energy sector.
Dr. Asseri who is presently a board member of the premier Saudi think tank RASANAH, said that he had no doubt that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had the courage, ability and will to take Pakistan forward. The Saudi leadership and nation will extend their support to him in this regard.
Vision 2030 offers trade, investment opportunities for Pakistan
He said that the Vision 2030 project of Saudi Arabia offers enormous opportunities for trade and investment relationship between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom will employ Pakistani citizens in mega projects.
He further said that a major transformation was underway in bilateral relations between the two Muslim countries as Saudi Arabia was showing its interest in long-term investment in the development sector of Pak. it is also trying to shore up the foreign reserves of Pak.
Asseri said that Saudi government was committed to invest 20 billion dollars in petrochemical complex, refinery, renewable energy projects and mining in Pak. There was also vast scope for the Kingdom’s public and private investment in other sectors like sports, leather goods, textiles and surgical equipment.
He further said that both countries have unique, durable and profound relationship in the security, political, cultural and economic spheres. – APP
