Senior Pakistani official Shaukat Tareen has held “constructive” talks with Saudi officials during his short stay in Riyadh and Jeddah. Shaukat Tareen, financial adviser to the Pakistani prime minister, told reporters here on Sunday that his discussions with Saudi officials centered on providing economic and political stability to Pakistan. Tareen held talks with Dr. Ibrahim Al-Assaf, Finance Minister, and Issa Bin Mohammad Al-Issa, Saudi American Bank's Managing Director and CEO, regarding delay in payment for oil and about the Saudi support for “Friends of Pakistan” conference set for next month. Tareen said his discussions also involved enhancing the volume of trade between the Kingdom and Pakistan especially the export of agricultural products such as rice, meat etc. to Saudi Arabia. “Pakistan can contribute in various fields in Saudi Arabia like manpower and skill development. Likewise, Saudi Arabia can open vocational training centers in Pakistan where Pakistani workers will get training in technical skills and language specifically to work in Saudi Arabia,” he said. “Japan, China, America and many other countries have assured help to Pakistan,” he said referring to the “Friends of Pakistan” conference. Tareen also met with Dr. Ahmad Muhammad Ali, President of Islamic Development Bank, and discussed the Neelam Jhelum hydro and Bhasha Dam energy projects. If Pakistan gets $4 to 5 billion investments per year it will ward off the economic crisis, he said. “Japan is ready to invest in our power sector but our priority is to generate electricity through coal and wind,” he said.
