Ambassador Mr. Souleymane Kone has said that his West African country Burkina Faso is eager to strengthen economic and diplomatic relations with Pakistan and in fact wants to learn from experiences and expertise of this brotherly country in various sectors mainly mining, energy, education, health, agriculture and infrastructure.

Burkina Faso having third largest reserves of gold in the world is considered heart of West Africa and gateway to other countries of this region. We have very large reserves of manganese as well. Burkina Faso is the first African country to grow cotton crop, he told.

He was addressing to members of the Karachi Council of Foreign Relations (KCFR), business community and diplomats at a dinner hosted by the council in his honour. Vice Chairman KCFR Khalid Mir, CEO Commodore Retd. Sadeed A. Malik, Chairman Galaxy Pharma Khalil-Ur-Rehman, Director Marketing Saif-Ur-Rehman and members of Board of Governors KCFR were also present on this occasion.

Conveying goodwill messages from the president and foreign minister of Burkina Faso, the ambassador said they always wish stability and prosperity for Pakistan.

Burkina Faso is a country of over 20 million population and have boundaries of 74000 kilometers. We have achieved growth rate of five to seven percent annually. We have large population of elephants and other animals. There are tourism places. This country will open doors to other countries of West Africa for businesses from Pakistan, Mr. Souleymane Kone told.

We have stable economy and government likewise. KCFR should also invite business community from Burkina Faso to Pakistan to explore opportunities of investment. We wish good luck for Pakistan and our country Burkina Faso to combat terrorism, he concluded.

Vice Chairman KCFR Khalid Mir appreciated good gesture and support of the ambassador and assured to explore bilateral trade opportunities.

Earlier, CEO KCFR Commodore Retd. Sadeed A. Malik welcomed the guests.

Ambassador of Burkina Faso was presented with crest of Karachi Council on Foreign Relations by Vice Chairman Khalid Mir. The ambassador also presented souvenirs to Vice Chairman KCFR Khalid Mir and Saif-Ur-Rehman, Director Marketing, Galaxy Pharma.