Finance Minister Abdul Hafeez Shaikh. -File Photo

WASHINGTON: Finance Minister Abdul Hafeez Shaikh discussed advancing economic cooperation with his Saudi Arabian counterpart Dr Ibrahim Al-Asaf as the two countries agreed to further bolster bilateral ties.

“We discussed trade and investment opportunities and agreed on the need for joint ministerial commission to meet more regularly to impart further vigor to our bilateral relations, “Dr Shaikh told APP after the meeting.

The Saudi finance minister expressed his country's interest in investment opportunities in agriculture and energy sectors. Besides, Saudi Arabia has also helped Pakistan in import of fertilizers.

“Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have multi-layered relationship at people to people and governmental levels, in political, economic and security fields and today's meeting was part or the ongoing mutual efforts towards still more robust economic cooperation.”

Dr Shaikh appreciated Saudi Arabia's support for Pakistan on numerous occasions, particularly during the flooding catastrophe last year.

The two finance leaders are attending the IMF-World Bank meetings in Washington.

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