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ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Syed Ali Haider Zaidi has said Pakistan encouraged Pak-US joint ventures in the maritime sector and vowed to facilitate US companies willing to invest in the country.
During a meeting with US Chargé d’affaires a.i. Angela Aggeler who called on him, Syed Ali Haider Zaidi invited US companies to invest in different sectors, including Tourism and maritime.
On this occasion, Chargé d’affaires a.i. Angela showed keen interest in Gwadar and they discussed the massive potential of Afghan transit through Gwadar port.
In the meeting, the US dignitary was apprised about issues being faced by Pakistani seafarers, especially issuance of visas by the US Embassy, to which she assured cooperation and committed to taking it up with the relevant authorities.
Chargé d’affaires thanked minister Zaidi for welcoming her and both agreed on keeping close contact and enhancing the working relationship between both the nations.
Both the dignitaries discussed matters of mutual interest and Pak-US joint ventures in the maritime sector at length.
Earlier, Ali Haider Zaidi had said that the new national shipping policy was aimed at promoting Blue Economy in the country.
In a statement, Zaidi said, “we will overcome challenges and deliver our best realizing and maximizing the huge potential of Blue Economy in the country.”
The minister further said that the government is moving towards all potentials sectors step by step and the Shipping Policy announced recently. He said that the deep-sea Fishing Policy would be announced by mid of next month.
“Currently, the fish and seafood exports of Pakistan are limited to $450 million only, but it can be enhanced to $ 2.5 billion if we have a proper deep sea fishing policy,” he added.