Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has expressed the commitment to develop a strong relationship with the African countries.

Addressing the Envoys’ Conference titled Engage Africa in Islamabad on Thursday, he said the foreign office will fully facilitate and cooperate with the commerce ministry to achieve this objective.

Adviser on Commerce Razaq Dawood said our vision is to double trade with the African countries in the next five years which currently hovers between three and four billion dollars.

He said Pakistan’s exports to Africa have risen to over one billion dollars. He said our locally manufactured tractors are making their way in several African countries including Mozambique and Angola.

Referring to the continent’s potential, the Adviser said Pakistan is also holding a trade conference in Nairobi next year to exploit the opportunities there.

Alluding to the improvement in the country’s economic indicators, the Foreign Minister said economic diplomacy is important for the socio-economic development of Pakistan.

He reiterated that foreign policy can also become effective and meaningful if the country is economically strong.