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Bilawal Bhutto expresses Pakistan’s resolve to further solidify its political & economic relations with Finland

DAVOS, May 24 (SABAH): Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto called on Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari called on the sidelines of the Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, on Tuesday.

The two Foreign Ministers discussed the state of bilateral relations as well as regional and global matters of mutual interest.

Underscoring that Pakistan valued Finland as an important bilateral partner as well as a key member of the European Union, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari expressed Pakistan’s resolve to further solidify its political and economic relations with Finland.

He particularly stressed on the need to enhance commercial ties and investment cooperation.

The Foreign Minister hoped that the Finnish Embassy would be reopened in Islamabad which would facilitate trade relations as well as promotion of people-to-people contacts.  

Both the Foreign Ministers agreed to remain in touch and to work together for promoting Pakistan-Finland relations.

Meanwhile Bilawal Bhutto Zardari held a meeting with Queen Máxima of the Netherlands in her capacity as the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting in Davos on Tuesday. The Foreign Minister was joined by Minister of State Hina Rabbani Khar and Minister for Climate Change Senator Sherry Rehman.

The Foreign Minister underscored that Pakistan is fully committed to the promotion of financial inclusion in the country.

He said that the State Bank of Pakistan has successfully operationalized the instant digital micropayments gateway called RAAST as part of the National Digital Infrastructure Development Strategy.

He also recalled the initiatives aimed at facilitating women’s participation and integration in the country’s economy.

Bilawal Zardari also highlighted Pakistan’s efforts through the Roshan Digital Account initiative to improve access to banking services in the country for overseas Pakistanis.