Pakistan and Yemen have signed three agreements on the conclusion of two-day Joint Ministerial Commission meeting. These relate to bilateral trade, health and avoidance of double taxation.
Commerce Minister Humayun Akhtar and the Yemeni Minister for Industry and Trade Dr Khalid Rajeh Sheikh inked the three agreements on behalf of their respective governments.
A handout issued here on Tuesday said the JMC deliberated on all areas of bilateral mutual co-operation with focus on economic and commercial relations during its deliberations.
It may be noted that Commerce minister Humayun Khan is in Yemen these days to explore new opportunities to increase bilateral trade between the two countries.
During the session the two sides reiterated their commitment to enhance bilateral economic, trade, commercial, industrial, cultural, scientific and technological, agricultural and co-operation in the field of health. Both countries underlined the importance of exchange of visits of experts and business and trade delegations.
They also agreed to establish linkages between educational institutions of the two countries. Both sides considered declaring port cities of Aden and Karachi as twin cities as a mark of close and brotherly relations between Yemen and Pakistan.
According to the handout, the Commerce Minister called on Vice President Abdu Rabbu Mansour Hadi, Prime Minister Abdulqadar Ba-Jamal and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Planning and International Co-operation. Minister for Industry and Trade was also present.
It was agreed that in order to enhance trade relations between the two countries, as well as to expand trade in the region, Pakistan and Yemen will start negotiations for signing a preferential tariff agreement (PTA) leading to a free trade agreement (FTA).
In this connection Yemen government will send a technical delegation to Pakistan within next three months and as soon as modalities are finalised the Yemeni Minister of Industry and Trade will visit Pakistan to sign such agreement.
Pakistan also expressed willingness to send a technical delegations to Yemen in this regard, if so required.
The Commerce Minister accompanied by the business delegation addressed the Sana'a Chamber of Commerce & Industry and urged the Yemeni businessmen to explore possibilities of enhancing further trade between the two countries.
The two sides agreed to hold single country exhibitions in Pakistan and Yemen. A protocol on economic co-operation between Federation of Yemen Chamber of Commerce and Industries and the Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry was also signed.
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