ISLAMABAD (APP) - Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Wednesday said connectivity through air, land and sea was necessary to promote regional transit trade besides building bridges among the people of SAARC member states. The Prime Minister was talking to Maldives Foreign Minister Ahmed Naseem, who called on him here. Ahmed Naseem thanked the Government of Pakistan for extending all-out assistance in holding of the forthcoming South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Summit in Maldives next month. The Prime Minister said it was heartening to mention that relations among SAARC countries were improving. He recalled his meeting with Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh at Mohali, which was followed by ministerial and secretary level exchange of visits between the two countries, focused to improve multi-faceted cooperation especially enhancing trade and people-to-people contacts. The Prime Minister said excellent relations among the member countries were reflection of the aspirations of people, who shared centuries old history, culture and traditions. He also recalled his meeting with Maldives young and dynamic President Mohamed Nasheed at Thimphu, Bhutan during the last SAARC Summit. He said he was looking forward to meet the Maldives President at the SAARC Summit and asked the Foreign Minister to convey his best wishes to the President. The Foreign Minister handed over a personal letter of the Maldives President to the Prime Minister in which the former expressed his deep sense of gratitude for extending generous support to his country in connection with the holding of the SAARC Summit. The Foreign Minister said during the Summit his country would welcome a meeting of Indian Prime Minister with Pakistans Prime Minister on the sidelines. he Foreign Minister also gave some tangible suggestions to improve trade between the two countries. The Foreign Minister said ferry links between the two countries could increase trade substantially because Maldives imported a huge quantity of fruit and vegetables. The import of the same from Pakistan will be far less expensive through sea link. Maldives can export fish to Pakistan. Similarly, Maldives imports poultry products from Brazil and the same can be imported from Pakistan if there are sea and air links between the two countries. The Foreign Minister of Maldives appreciated the initiatives of Pakistan and India to improve their relations. The Foreign Minister also disclosed that his country was holding a convention on Shariah jurisprudence and inter-faith harmony.