The government of Niger is considering creating a special economic zone (SEZ) for Pakistan in order to attract investment and the manufacturing sector to the landlocked western African country.
Gado Sabo Muctar, Niger’s Minister of Industries and Commerce, informed Federal Minister for Industries and Production Makhdum Khusro Bakhtyar of the development.
The visit of Niger’s cabinet minister was aimed at advancing Niger’s government’s aims for strengthening economic ties with Pakistan.
According to a statement from the ministry, the main objective is to form a collaborative working group for the exchange of expertise in setting up SEZs at both the policy and operational levels, so that both nations may establish long-term economic partnerships.
In his speech, Bakhtyar stated that the current Pakistani government had established the ‘Look Africa Initiative,’ which included a number of initiatives aimed at boosting commerce with Africa and expanding outreach to major African economies.
According to the federal minister, Pakistan is eager to tap into Niger’s vast market potential through bilateral economic cooperation in textiles, automobiles, mining, and agriculture.
He emphasised the significance of improving economic outreach through a formal system that includes regular high-level meetings, government-to-government and business-to-business engagements. Bakhtyar proposed that the Joint Ministerial Commission between Niger and Pakistan form a working group on industrial cooperation.
The meeting was also attended by the Secretary of Industries and Production, Ahmed Ali Sirohry, the Ambassador of Pakistan in Niger, and representatives from the Nigerian business community and FPCCI Pakistan.
