Turkmenistan foreign minister arrives in Islamabad amid Pakistan trade push

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan Rasit Meredow on Monday arrived in Pakistan on a two-day visit, the Pakistani foreign office said, amid Islamabad’s efforts to boost trade with Central Asian states.
Pakistan hopes to leverage its strategic geopolitical position and enhance its role as a pivotal trade and transit hub connecting the landlocked Central Asian republics with the rest of the world.
In recent months, there has been a flurry of visits, investment talks and economic activity between Pakistan and Central Asian states, including meetings with leaders from Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan.
Upon arrival in Islamabad, FM Meredow was warmly welcomed by Pakistan’s Minister for Industries and Production Rana Tanveer Hussain, according to the Pakistani foreign office.
“Foreign Minister Meredov will hold extensive talks with the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 and call on the Pakistani leadership,” the foreign office said in a statement.
The talks between the two sides will cover all aspects of bilateral relations as well as regional and global developments, according to Pakistani officials.
Located in a landlocked but resource-rich region, Central Asian countries need better access to regional markets including Pakistan, China, India, and the countries of West Asia.
Islamabad is seeking to bolster trade and investment relations with allies to stabilize its fragile $350 billion economy as it faces an acute balance of payment crisis amid soaring inflation and surging external debt.
The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project, under which Beijing has pledged around $65 billion in energy, infrastructure and other projects in Pakistan, also presents a strategic opportunity for Central Asian states to transport their goods more easily to regional and global markets.