Islamabad, March 23, 2024 – The Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) has expressed a strong desire to increase its involvement in Pakistan’s energy and housing sectors, signaling a promising avenue for bilateral cooperation between the two nations.
Khalifa bin Jassem Al-Kuwari, Chief Executive Officer of QFFD, conveyed the organization’s interest in expanding its footprint in Pakistan’s power generation and housing sectors during discussions held on Saturday. Both countries are set to intensify their cooperation through technical-level dialogues, as outlined in a press statement issued by the Economic Affairs Division.
A delegation from QFFD, headed by Al-Kuwari, is currently on a two-day visit to Pakistan from March 23 to 24, 2024. The delegation, accompanied by the Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Pakistan, Ali Mubarak Ali Essa Al-Khater, met with Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema to explore avenues for collaboration.
During the meeting, Minister Cheema underscored his government’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties, particularly in the development of large-scale projects in the water sector. He warmly welcomed the CEO of QFFD and acknowledged the significant contributions of the State of Qatar and QFFD to Pakistan’s development, highlighting the enduring relationship between the two countries.
Minister Cheema also congratulated Al-Kuwari on receiving a Civil Award from the President of Pakistan in recognition of his services to the country. He expressed gratitude to Qatar for its support during challenging times, including the pledge of US$25.00 million towards flood relief efforts in 2022. Cheema assured further collaboration with QFFD to bolster bilateral relations in the future.
In response, Al-Kuwari extended his congratulations to Minister Cheema on Pakistan Day and expressed gratitude to the Pakistani government for the Civil Award bestowed upon him. He affirmed QFFD’s steadfast commitment to assisting Pakistan in its journey towards recovery and prosperity, particularly through the development of climate-resilient infrastructure.
The discussions between the QFFD delegation and Pakistani officials signify a deepening of ties between Qatar and Pakistan, with a focus on strategic sectors crucial for Pakistan’s sustainable development. The shared commitment to collaboration and mutual support bodes well for the future trajectory of bilateral relations, fostering increased cooperation in areas of common interest.
As both nations embark on this journey of cooperation and partnership, the prospects for joint initiatives in energy and housing sectors hold significant promise for addressing Pakistan’s developmental challenges and fostering economic growth and resilience.
