Pakistan, Belarus sign roadmap economic cooperation agreement

Pakistan and Belarus signed a roadmap for fast track and middle track economic cooperation in Islamabad on Tuesday, officials said.

Visiting Belarusian Prime Minister Andrei Kobyakov and his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif signed the document after their formal talks.

The two sides also signed 17 other agreements, memorandums of understanding and protocols on cooperation in diverse fields.

These relate to collaboration and cooperation in health, custom matters, agriculture, education, trade, economy, scientific, technical, humanitarian and cultural fields.

Earlier, Sharif held one-on-one meeting with Kobyakov and discussed a wide range of issues.

Addressing a joint news conference, Sharif said that agreements signed are reflective of close relationship between the two countries.

"The agreements provide robust framework for future bilateral economic cooperation and a comprehensive roadmap for regional trade,"the Pakistani prime minister said.

Sharif said Belarusian businessmen could invest in Pakistan as its policies are business friendly, adding that the two countries hope to forge closer bilateral relations especially in economy.

Kobyakov said his country will promote economic cooperation with Pakistan focusing on agriculture, infrastructure and mineral sectors.

He said joint projects will be launched in agriculture and food sectors and that his country would provide expertise in gas and oil exploration to Pakistan.

He also invited Sharif to visit Belarus. Endit