PM Shehbaz Thanks Yunus for Boosting Trade, Highlights Youth Investment

Cairo: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed his gratitude to Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser, Muhammad Yunus, for his efforts in enhancing travel and trade relations between Pakistan and Bangladesh. The two leaders met on the sidelines of the D-8 Organisation for Economic Cooperation summit held in Cairo, Egypt, where they discussed multiple initiatives aimed at strengthening bilateral ties.

In a cordial and warm exchange, PM Shehbaz thanked Yunus for spearheading measures to improve connectivity, trade, and people-to-people exchanges between the two nations. The prime minister highlighted their conversation on deepening historical and cultural ties, expanding trade, and exploring new collaborations in various sectors such as information technology (IT), chemicals, leather, surgical goods, and cement clinkers.

On his social media platform, PM Shehbaz shared that both leaders discussed the mutual benefits of enhancing trade and cultural exchanges, especially through greater collaboration in education, sports, and the arts. He noted the significance of the recent visit of the Bangladesh cricket team to Pakistan and the concert by a Pakistani artist in Dhaka as key steps in fostering stronger cultural bonds.

Furthermore, the two leaders agreed on the importance of people-to-people contacts and reaffirmed their commitment to joint development. PM Shehbaz expressed Pakistan’s deep desire to strengthen bilateral cooperation, focusing particularly on trade, cultural exchanges, and shared prosperity for both countries.

The prime minister also expressed appreciation for Bangladesh’s recent steps to facilitate trade and travel, including the removal of the 100% physical inspection requirement for Pakistani consignments and the elimination of special security checks at Dhaka airport for Pakistani passengers. These steps have significantly eased travel and trade barriers, and PM Shehbaz thanked Yunus for his pivotal role in making these changes possible.

PM Shehbaz Calls for Investing in Youth and SMEs at D-8 Summit

At the D-8 summit, PM Shehbaz emphasized the summit’s potential in promoting collaboration between member countries, particularly in the development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). He noted that Pakistan’s federal cabinet had approved preferential trade agreements with D-8 members, highlighting the importance of implementing protocols that encourage SME growth.

The prime minister stressed that youth and SMEs are crucial drivers of economic growth, with SMEs providing employment, fostering innovation, and supporting local entrepreneurship. In his address, PM Shehbaz highlighted Pakistan’s young population, with over 60% under the age of 30, as a key resource for economic advancement.

He elaborated on Pakistan’s initiatives to empower its youth, particularly through the flagship youth program, which has been instrumental in providing quality education, employment opportunities, and vocational training in fields such as artificial intelligence, data analytics, and cybersecurity. Through this initiative, over 600,000 laptops have been distributed to deserving students, and millions of youth have received technical training.

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PM Shehbaz pointed out that investing in youth is critical for building resilient, inclusive economies capable of addressing global challenges. He emphasized that young people bring creativity, energy, and fresh ideas, while SMEs are essential for job creation and fostering a culture of entrepreneurship.

The prime minister concluded by reinforcing the message that nurturing youth and supporting the growth of SMEs are vital for the future prosperity of Pakistan and for contributing to the global economy’s growth, especially in the face of current challenges.