Azernews.Az

Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari is expected to attend an Azerbaijani-Pakistani business forum to be held in Baku soon, Azerbaijan’s ambassador to Pakistan Dashgyn Shikarov said at a meeting with the president of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) Mian Abrar Ahmad, Pakistani media reported Friday.

The joint business forum aims at developing bilateral trade and investments.

During the meeting the ambassador invited the KCCI delegation to Azerbaijan and informed of investment opportunities in the country.

Shikarov said further that Azerbaijan has "serious" visa regulations with other countries, but as regards the citizens of Pakistan and Turkey, "our policy is open".

The ambassador briefed Ahmad on opportunities for investments in oil and gas exploration and exports of Azerbaijani hydrocarbons to Pakistan. He also said it was possible to establish joint ventures in the fields of pharmaceuticals and surgery.

Shikarov said Pakistan could export mangos, dates and other agricultural products to Azerbaijan. He noted that there is a high demand for Pakistan-made Basmati rice.

Shikarov said Azerbaijan is pursuing a liberal policy on investments and Pakistan could invest in the country’s economy. He added that Azerbaijan has advanced industries.

The Karachi chamber of commerce head called on Azerbaijani businessmen to invest in oil and gas exploration in Pakistan and explore avenues for trading in agricultural produce.

"Azerbaijan could export its goods to a number of countries through the ports in Karachi, availing of Pakistan’s [favorable] geo-strategic location," Ahmad said.

Pakistan was one of the first countries to recognize Azerbaijan's independence in 1991. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in 1992.