By our Staff Reporter
In a bid to expand its footprints across Africa Pakistan has announced the opening of diplomatic missions in some African nations including the Ivory Coast. The Foreign Minister of Pakistan spoke with the Foreign Minister of Ivory Coast over the telephone last night and informed her that Pakistan’s first-ever Ambassador to Ivory Coast will arrive in Abidjan soon.
” Pakistan attaches great importance to Africa. In a bid to further enhance a bilateral relationship, Pakistan’s first-ever Ambassador to Ivory Coast will be arriving Abidjan shortly,” Mr. Shah Mahmood Qureshi, the Foreign Minister of Pakistan told his counterpart in Abidjan, Her Excellency Kandia Kamissoko Camara over the telephone last night.
A press note issued from Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the Foreign Minister of Pakistan identified mutual trust as an anchor of their fraternal ties as the two Foreign Ministers reviewed bilateral relations and appreciated traditional coordination of positions and support for each other’s candidatures at international fora.
“Pakistan’s ties with Cote d’Ivoire are impressive and we appreciate its positive and substantive contributions to regional and international organizations including the UN, AU, OIC, and ECOWAS. The government of Pakistan has decided to further boost the bilateral relationship with Cote d’Ivoire. Our first-ever Ambassador to your amazing country would be taking charge shortly,” a press note issued from the office of the country’s Foreign office quoted him as saying.
Two sides agreed to enhance the volume of bilateral trade which is currently $52.26 million annually. According to Pakistan’s Ministry of Commerce and Trade, the volume of bilateral trade between Pakistan and the Ivory Coast remained $52.26 million during 2019.
Ivory Coast Imports from Pakistan was US$52.26 Million during 2019. Major imports from Pakistan included Cereals ($41.45M), Beverages, spirits and vinegar ($6.74M), Pharmaceutical products ($2.15M), textile articles, sets, worn clothing ($1.03M), Optical, photo, technical, medical apparatus ( $178009) and articles of apparel, knit or crocheted ($101190). The historical chart and statistics were last updated in January of 2022. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s trade with African countries in 2019-20 remained $ 4.18 billion which was increased by seven percent as compared to the previous year (2018-19).
Besides trade, two foreign Ministers also made commitments to engage with each other at the International forum as well. According to the statement, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister highlighted Pakistan’s steadfast commitment to its peace and prosperity including through contributions to UN Peacekeeping Mission during 2004-17, and said his country will be ready to help the region [ under the umbrella of UN] whenever required.
It is important to note here that Pakistan has recently announced an ‘Engage Africa’ policy to further its ties with African countries including Ivory Coast. Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs regularly arranges seminars and events in Islamabad to enhance political, trade, and diplomatic ties with the Continent.
” Africa is important for Pakistan. We are taking steps to develop cordial relationships with all countries on the African continent. Cote d’Ivoire is among a few countries where Pakistan is establishing its new diplomatic missions in Africa. This is an important step and we believe our diplomatic missions will further deepen bilateral ties and opportunities,” Shah Mahmood said during a telephonic conversation with his counterpart.
According to the press statement, the Foreign Minister of Cote d’Ivoire appreciated Pakistan for appointing Ambassador to her country and said she looks forward to enhancing bilateral ties.
