Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif opened a key economic summit Wednesday aimed at improving regional trade ties and calling for greater collaboration in the areas of business, energy and infrastructure development. Islamabad is hosting the 10-nation Economic Cooperation Organization summit to finalize a Vision 2025 plan for expanding trade and prosperity among member nations. "There has never been a more opportune time to realize our dreams of connectivity for regional prosperity," said Sharif, who was elected new chairman of the organization. Afghanistan's ambassador to Pakistan, Omar Zakhilwal, said that peace and stability in the region will play a greater role in achieving mutual economic goals. Government officials have also described the summit as an opportunity to show that Pakistan cannot be isolated from the international scene.

Source: Egypt Independent March 01, 2017 09:03 UTC