ISLAMABAD, July 19 (INP) High Commissioner for Pakistan to Australia, Babar Amin had a luncheon meeting with the Minster for Local Government, Racing and Multicultural Affairs, Government of Queensland, the Honourable Stirling Hinchliffe MP.

The event was also attended by prominent businessmen, industrialists and expatriate community members in Queensland. During the luncheon meeting, issues of mutual interest on a wide gamut of bilateral cooperation were discussed, says a press released here on Friday.

The High Commissioner thanked the Minister for the warm hospitality by the state of Queensland and briefed him about bilateral cooperation in the areas of trade, economy, agriculture, education, water management.

He expressed the desire to strengthen pragmatic cooperation between Pakistan's provinces and state of Queensland including establishing sister province-state and sister city relations.

The High Commissioner highlighted the numerous opportunities for trade and investment. He urged the Minister to encourage Queensland businesses to invest in Pakistan.  He also invited the Minister to visit Pakistan with a delegation soon.

Minister Stirling Hinchliffe applauded the contributions of the Pakistani community in Queensland. He appreciated the Pakistani diaspora for their hard work and commitment to the development of Queensland. He hoped that these ties of mutual benefit would further grow and strengthen with time.

The Minister assured the High Commissioner that he would encourage Queensland businessmen to look for opportunities in Pakistan for investment. He lauded the high educational standard of Pakistani students studying in Queensland Universities.

Mr.  Hinchliffe suggested that besides the Universities in Brisbane, Pakistani Universities may also consider entering in cooperation arrangements with other regional Universities of Queensland. He also supported the proposal to establish sister institutional relations.

He thanked the High Commissioner for visiting Queensland and accepted his invitation to visit Pakistan with a delegation at the opportune moment soon.

Earlier a team of senior officials from the Department of Premier and Cabinet had an in-depth discussion with the High Commissioner on enhancement of cooperation between Pakistan and Queensland.

INP/JAVED