Deputy PM and Minister of Trade & Industry of Kosovo Ms. Mimoza Kusari Lila here on Thursday received M Haroon Shaukat, Ambassador of Pakistan to Kosovo, resident in Ankara.

Welcoming the appointment of Haroon Shaukat, who became the first Ambassador of Pakistan to Kosovo, Ms Mimoza said both countries are now in a position to start formal business relations.

She stressed on the need to know the potential strengths of Pakistan and Kosovo by the businessmen of both the countries. She said exploratory reciprocal business visits would set the trend for spearheading commercial ties. It was agreed to encourage the federations of chambers of commerce and industry of both the countries to sign agreements for exchange of information, holding of joint trade fairs, and initiating joint business ventures.

Ms Mimoza said Kosovo’s geographical position and its Autonomous Trade Preferences agreement with European Union, through which it enjoys unlimited and duty free access to the EU market for products, would be beneficial for Pakistani investors who can start joint ventures with Kosovo business partners. Kosovo also enjoys GSP from the United States, she added.

Ambassador Shaukat expressed the hope that both the Governments of Pakistan and Kosovo would provide an interface to the private sectors of the respective countries through developing facilitative frameworks that will form the basis of closer economic interaction to the mutual advantage of both the countries.

Haroon Shaukat also invited the Kosovo Deputy Prime Minister to lead a business delegation from her country to attend Expo Pakistan being held in Karachi, Pakistan, from 26-29 September 2013. This forum will provide an opportunity for Kosovo businessmen to explore business prospects and interact with leading Pakistan exporters, he added.

Consul General Istanbul Dr. Yusuf Junaid and Press Attaché of the Pakistan Embassy in Ankara Abdul Akbar also accompanied the Ambassador.