ISLAMABAD - Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has asked Polish entrepreneurs to take advantage of the vast business opportunities, especially created by the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)-related economic activity generated across the country.

The prime minister had a busy day on Tuesday as he held a number of meetings with important personalities and discussed important issues.

In his meeting with Marshal of Senate of Republic of Poland Stanislaw Karczewski the bilateral relations between Pakistan-Poland came under discussion and both agreed to further strengthen rather expand the existing ties between the two states.

The prime minister appreciated that parliamentary exchanges were significant in deepening bilateral cooperation as well as developing understanding for each other’s views on important global and regional developments.

Highlighting importance of exploring new avenues of cooperation, particularly through strengthening of institutional mechanisms, the prime minister emphasised the need for strengthening of economic cooperation especially in the areas of energy, agriculture and food processing.

The prime minister said that the growing economy of Pakistan offered Polish investors and business community vast opportunities in diverse areas to undertake profitable business ventures.

Karczewski thanked the prime minister for the warm welcome he had received and expressed his government’s desire to further strengthen its relations with Pakistan.

In his meeting with Bank of China Chairman Chen Siqing, Prime Minister Abbasi congratulated him on launch of Bank of China’s operations in Pakistan and said that the initiative would be a significant milestone in further strengthening of banking ties and promotion of economic activities between the two countries.

Referring to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the prime minister observed that the flagship initiative was a clear manifestation of the firm commitment of the leadership of the two countries to work in close collaboration for the socio-economic development of not only the people of the two countries but also for the region and beyond.

The prime minister also highlighted the huge economic potential and vast opportunities created by the CPEC project and observed that the Government of Pakistan was committed to providing every possible facility to the foreign investors and business community in undertaking profitable business ventures in the country.

Meanwhile, newly-appointed Ambassador of UAE to Pakistan, Hamad Obaid Ibrahim Salem Al-Zaabi, paid a courtesy call on the prime minister.

Premier Abbasi underscored that the relations between Pakistan and the UAE were defined by history, warmth and brotherly relations.

This relationship, he stressed, should continue to grow.

Ambassador Hamad Al-Zaabi thanked the prime minister for the warm welcome and emphasised that he had come with a very strong commitment to further strengthen relations between the two countries.

He appreciated the recent participation of Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif in Sir Bani Yas Forum and the excellent meeting between the foreign ministers of Pakistan and the UAE.

The ambassador further said that he was looking at a long-term roadmap for strengthening economic relations between the two countries.

Ashwani K Muthoo, director (global engagement), IFAD, Rome, called on Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and briefed him on the projects being undertaken by the IFAD in Pakistan since 1978.

He informed that over the past 40 years, the IFAD had implemented projects worth $2.2 billion (including co-financing) in agriculture, rural development and poverty alleviation in Pakistan.

The prime minister appreciated the IFAD’s work in Pakistan and invited the IFAD to examine the possibility of solarisation of tube wells in Pakistan, particularly in Balochistan.

Muthoo informed the prime minister of a seminar that the IFAD intended to hold in Pakistan next year on the impact of climate change and to review adaptation techniques to mitigate negative impacts of climate change in countries such as Pakistan.

Meanwhile, senior civil servants participating in the 107th National Management Course called on Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi at the PM’s Office on Tuesday.

During the meeting, the prime minister emphasised the pivotal role of civil servants in policy making and implementation.

“Your professional input on critical issues and guidance on technical matters is of utmost importance to the political leadership,” the prime minister stated.

Abbasi said that bureaucracy needed to adapt to the changing circumstances and requirements as the conventional bureaucratic paradigm was no longer relevant.

Bureaucrats need to maintain a healthy balance between public needs, technical compulsions and administrative imperatives, he said.

The prime minister further said that concrete reforms were required to bring the civil service at par with international standards.