ISLAMABAD : President Mamnoon Hussain Tuesday emphasized the need for concerted steps by Pakistan and Mauritius to benefit from their Preferential Trade Agreement and enhance the existing volume of bilateral trade. Talking to Deputy Prime Minister of Mauritius Dr. Ahmed Rashid Beebeejaun who called on him here at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, the President referred to PTA between the two countries inked in 2007 and urged exchange of business delegations to help boost trade and economic relations.  During the meeting Pakistan-Mauritius bilateral relations, regional and global matters of mutual interest were discussed.
 The President welcomed the Deputy Prime Minster and said this was the first high-level visit to Pakistan from Mauritius since long and expressed the hope that it would prove instrumental in further enhancing the existing bilateral relations particularly trade and commercial ties between the two countries.
 The President said that Pakistan attaches great importance to its relations with Mauritius and desire to further cement bilateral equation in diverse fields to the mutual benefit of the people of the two countries.
 Referring to the ties in the field of education the President said Pakistan has been offering courses to Mauritius under Pakistan Technical Assistance Programme (PTAP) and assured that such courses would continue in future.
 The President also offered assistance to Mauritius for technical training and education in diverse fields including Medical, Engineering, Pharmacy, Dentistry, Banking and diplomacy.
 Deputy Prime Minister of Mauritius Dr. Ahmed Rashid Beebeejaun, who also holds the portfolio of Minister of Renewable Energy and Public Utilities, thanked the President and government of Pakistan for warm hospitality.
 He said Mauritius highly values its relations with Pakistan and was keen to explore ways and means to further enhance bilateral trade and commercial ties.
 He also apprised the president that the matter of construction of Urdu House and Jinnah Tower in Mauritius was under consideration and expected to be started soon. The meeting was also attended by senior officials from both
 sides.