ISLAMABAD - Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources Friday informed that Pakistani scientists to be facilitated by Polish Government for higher education in the field of Geo-Sciences. Dr Asim Hussain, Federal Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources has appreciated the cooperation extended by Polish Government in the oil and gas sector. He was talking to the Polish Economy Minister and Secretary of State of Ministry of Foreign Affairs at Warsaw, Poland on Thursday. Proposals for establishment of a Chair on Geo-sciences in a Pakistani university, exchange of students and establishment of a research institute of hydrocarbon studies in Pakistan were discussed in the meeting. The Polish government promised to favourably consider offering scholarships to Pakistani students in the University of Mining in Krakow, Poland. A team of Pakistani experts will soon visit Poland to further discuss the concrete proposals in order to establish long-term relations in the hydrocarbon sector. Dr Asim Hussain participated in a conference to explore the venues of cooperation in oil and gas sector especially in shale gas. The event, which was organised by Polish Oil and Gas Company (PGNIG), was also attended by the officials of the two Ministries besides senior management of Polish Geological Institute. The Minister later paid a visit to the PGNIGs Headquarter in Warsaw where he held a meeting with the senior officials of the company and discussed ways of increasing cooperation in the energy field. The Minister arrived at Warsaw on Wednesday evening on a two-day visit at the invitation of Polish Deputy PM and Minister for Economy Waldemar Pawlak. He is leading a three-member delegation comprising representatives of prominent oil and gas sector companies in Pakistan. The visit is considered important for furtherance of governments efforts to address the problem of energy shortfall in the country. Pakistan and Poland enjoy strong economic and commercial relations. Last year bilateral trade amounted to $210 million with a 24pc surge from the previous year was observed. A number of Pakistani companies have opened their offices in Poland to cater for the regional European market. Poland is considered as the largest shale gas repository and prominent geological surveying and exploration companies have business and investment relations with Pakistan. This visit of the Federal Minister is expected to further open the avenues of long-term cooperation in the traditional and non-conventional sources of energy. It is worth mentioning that Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Waldemar Pawlak conferred this morning the title Person of Merit for Mining in the Republic of Poland on Dr Asim Hussain, Federal Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources. This state distinction has been bestowed on the Minister in recognition of his meritorious services rendered for the development of mining industry and for strengthening Pakistan-Poland bilateral cooperation in the field. The ceremony was preceded by Ministers meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister which focused on signing an agreement on ways and means of further enhancing bilateral cooperation in the oil and gas sector and auto sector of the two countries. The Minister later visited the area of Bonikowo in western Poland to inspect underground gas storage facilities of PGNiG and shale gas sites of Poland. Poland is a leader in oil and gas surveying and exploration and world famous companies like Polish Oil and Gas Company (PGNiG), Oil and Gas Exploration Company Krakow (OGEC) and Geofizyka Krakow have significant investments in Pakistan. Poland is also estimated to have Western Europes largest reserves of shale gas, which is considered relatively cleaner option compared to coal. The visit of the Federal Minister along with heads of prominent Pakistani oil and gas companies will go a long way in further promoting Pakistan-Poland cooperation in the sector and will help governments efforts to diversify sources for meeting the growing energy needs of the country.