ISLAMABAD: The government is in the process of forming a new automobile policy, Federal Minister for Industries Ghulam Murtaza Jatoi said on Wednesday.
He was talking to Daily Times after attending an event held to celebrate the National Foundation Day and the Armed Forces Day of the Republic of Korea. Ambassador Suh Dong-Gu had arranged the event at his official residence.
Jatoi said that Pakistan and the Republic of Korea enjoyed strong relations. “Bilateral ties are getting stronger with the passage of time. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif attaches great importance to relations with Korea and that is why he asked me to participate in this reception,” he said.
Jatoi said that there was still need to enhance bilateral trade between the two friendly countries. “The Ministry of Industries is reviewing its auto policy. Korean auto companies are taking a lot of interest in manufacturing in Pakistan, specially BMW Korea Co Ltd,” he said.
Talking to Daily Times, Ambassador Suh Dong-Gu said that he was trying to boost relations between Korea and Pakistan. “Both countries need more cultural exchanges,” he said. The ambassador said that currently around 20 Korean companies were working in Pakistan.
“I am quite happy that many people came to attend this reception,” he said. Earlier, Ambassador Suh Dong-Gu had welcomed the guests to the celebration of the National Foundation Day and the Armed Forces Day of the Republic of Korea. “I am greatly honoured to have all of you here. I must confess that I am very happy to have come to Islamabad for strengthening bilateral relations between Korea and Pakistan,” he said. “You can find some samplers of Korean food and drinks: Kimchi, Bulgogi, Soju and Makgully. Especially, we invited world famous Korean Music Group for the event. They will play Korean traditional instruments,” he had said while addressing the guests. The participants appreciated the music performance.
“We had a summit meeting between Prime Minster Nawaz Sharif and President Park Geun-hye last year. Both governments are also talking about a Free Trade Agreement. Diplomatically, we will have our first strategic dialogue quite soon. Culturally, we had the first K-pop festival in Pakistan last July,” he said. The ambassador said that he would use the momentum to upgrade bilateral ties to a new height during his term in Pakistan.
Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousuf, Minister of State for Education Muhammad Balighur Rehman, BOI Chairman Dr Miftah Ismail, Board of Investment (BOI) Secretary Azhar Chaudhry, Mayor of Islamabad Sheikh Ansar Aziz, Foreign Affairs Additional Secretary Zulfiqar Gardezi and ambassadors of various countries were present.
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