The visiting Chinese trade delegation will discuss the long-awaited issue of setting up a border trade zone between Pakistan and China at Khunjarab. Chen JI, Vice Commissioner of Kashgar Administration, who is here in connection with inviting Pakistani enterprises to attend the trade fair being held from May 10 to 12, disclosed this. Addressing a press conference here on Monday, Chen JI said that he would also discuss the issue of frontier trade zone at Khunjarab port for facilitating trade in the border areas with the administration of northern areas.
Giving details of the proposed frontier trade zone, Chen JI said the proposed zone covering an area of 10,000 sq. meters will have 200 stalls- 100 by each side.
There would be exit and entry passage for vehicles, equipment checking and examining facilities, he said, adding that China would bear the cost of setting up the zone. Market management fee and land using fee will be very low so that traders and customers could benefit from it.
The trade zone will be open one or two times every week with the opening of the Khunjarab port during the summer months. However, in reply to a question, he said that efforts are afoot on both sides to keep the road open during winter as well. Replying to a question, he said that the proposal for a free trade zone was made as early 1989 and it was to be implemented from 1993. The issue is being reactivated during the visit, he added.
He further said that high transportation costs had blocked the project, but now things are seen tremendously changed and the matter would be discussed with the NA administration.
KAHSGR TRADE FAIR: Pakistan will participate in the Kashgar trade fair in May in a big way by sending around 200 businessmen, representing to country's various chambers of commerce and industry.
The three-day fair from May 10 to 12 has been organised, among others, by Kashgar Administration, Kashgar Board of Investment and Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
All neighbouring countries, including India have been invited to the fair, which will have exhibits of 550 enterprises on show, in five exhibition blocks ie electrical machinery, communications equipment, furniture, home appliances, office equipment, hardware and chemical engineering equipment, building material, civil porcelain, textile and clothing, food material, handicrafts etc.
Addressing a press conference Chen JI, Vice commissioner of Kashgar Administration, who is visiting Pakistan in connection with the fair, said that exhibitors will be provided stalls free of rent and trade transactions within 3,000 yuan in the trade fair will be free of duty. (one yuan is about Rs 7 in Pakistani currency).
President of Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Farman Ahmed, who also addressed the press conference, said that the Chamber plans that about 200 Pakistani businessmen will take part in the fair. Every chamber in the country has been asked to nominate at least ten representatives.
Chen Ji said that the main objective of the trade fair is to demonstrate new products, new technologies and new items, to provide platform for trade negotiations to discuss projects on domestic, foreign economic and technological co-operation. He told the newsmen that Kashgar is making rapid progress and it opened itself to the world.
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