Islamabad February 3 2022: Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Syed Ali Haider Zaidi held a virtual conference with the US Secretary of Transport Mr. Pete Buttigieg to discuss the matters of mutual interests.
The Federal Minister and the US Secretary of Transport initiated a dialogue between the two nations on transportation and logistics cooperation & challenges. Direct talks between them will result in enhancing opportunities for the country’s maritime sector.
Federal Minister apprised the US Secretary on the many initiatives taken by the Government of Pakistan through Ministry of Maritime Affairs along with Cabinet Committee on Transport & Logistics (CCoTL).
Minister highlighted the challenges faced by Pakistani seafarers destined to US ports. For which he requested the establishment of a dedicated window at the US Consulate in Karachi to help reduce processing time for seafarers visas. The US Secretary of Transport acknowledged the issue and agreed to pursue the matter with the relevant authorities.
Potential partnerships and signing of Sister Port Agreements between US and Pakistan ports was also discussed in the meeting. Various investment opportunities for US companies in the logistics sector of Pakistan were also talked about.
Minister Zaidi also presented an idea of a dedicated warehousing facility at Port Qasim specifically designed for trade between Pakistan and the US.
“Special thanks to US Chargé d’affaires a.i. Angela Aggeler for setting up the video-conference. A positive step to establish bilateral cooperation in the Logistics & Transportation sectors of US & Pakistan”
Says Ali Zaidi
Chairman PIA Air Marshal (R) Arshad Malik was also present in the meeting. Cooperation with the US Aviation sector, including challenges faced by PIA in the US were also discussed in detail. Both sides agreed to jointly work to address the supply chain and logistic issues causing the rise in freight costs globally.
The meeting was attended by Secretary Maritime Affairs Asad Hayauddin, Additional Secretary Foreign Affairs Mr. Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, US Chargé d’affaires in Pakistan Angela Aggeler, CEO PIA Airmarshal Mr. Arshad Malik (R) and other important officials. Minister expressed his gratitude to the US Secretary for discussing the matters of mutual interests in the meeting and gave an invitation to visit Pakistan which was warmly accepted by the Secretary.
