Pakistan has signed agreements with the Ukraine Government and the Italian Fabbrica d'Armi Pietro Beretta company at the International Defence Exhibition and Conference, IDEX 2017, in Abu Dhabi.

Headed by Rana Tanveer Hussain, Federal Minister for Defence Production, Pakistan is participating in the biennial international defence show, representing various organisations and showcasing a whole range of products.

Mr. Hussain and the Director-General of Ukraine’s Defence Ministry signed the MoU on behalf of their respective governments. According to the MoU, both countries have agreed to enhance their defence cooperation concerning research and development and production of Ukrainian origin tanks with the Pakistan Army.

Lt. Geneneral Muhammad Naeem Ashraf, Chairman, Heavy Industries Taxila, HIT, and other senior officers were also present at the ceremony.

Speaking on the occasion, Pakistan's Federal Minister for Defence Production said that the MoU is very important in the security context and also a clear manifestation of ever growing Pakistan-Ukraine relations, especially in the defence production sector.

An LoU, Letter of Understanding, has been signed between the Pakistan Ordinance Factory, POF, and Beretta, an Italian Company.

The LoU stipulates that POF will start sales of Beretta products which include pistols, shot guns and forces apparel in Pakistan. The parties have also agreed that they will cooperate with each other on future business opportunities relating to Beretta products in Pakistan. Joint marketing and cooperation will be carried out in order to enhance export marketing.

Lt. Geneneral Omar Mahmood Hayat, HI (M) Chairman of the POF Board, and Pietro Gussalli Beretta, Chief Executive of Beretta, signed the agreement.