It is, indeed, heartening to learn from a news report, with Shanghai date line, as appearing on July 15, that Commerce Minister Humayun Akhtar Khan, who participated in the two-day informal WTO mini-ministerial meeting in Dalian (China), also availed of his four-day visit to that country for efforts aimed at further enhancement of mutually beneficial co-operation in trade and investment.
This has reference, among his other engagements in that country, to the emphasis he laid on the opportunities now unfolding in these sphere, with a marked focus on prospects industrial ventures for Chinese entrepreneurs in Pakistan.
Speaking at a seminar, which was jointly organised by the Pakistan Consulate General and the Shanghai Foreign Economic Relations and Trade Commission in Shanghai last Thursday, he gave the happy tidings of Pakistan and China, together establishing a comprehensive tax-free trading system within the next two to three years, saying it formed part of the efforts, aimed at transforming their exemplary relations into a strong and vibrant economic partnership.
Significantly, attended by over 200 Chinese entrepreneurs, it was also addressed by local Chinese business leaders, Madam Jian Heping and Wang Lie. Speaking at length on the scope of Sino-Pak future economic relations, Akhtar said these would get a big boost under the Early Harvest Programme, a part of PTA, which is marked for enforcement in January 2006.
Again, highlighting the prospects of joint ventures and investment opportunities in Pakistan, he urged the Chinese entrepreneurs to benefit from liberal business environment being provided to them in Pakistan. Moreover, elaborating on the importance of EHP, the Minister pointed out that it secured market access of a number of mutually agreed items of export interest, which would attract zero tariffs by January 1, 2006.
Referring to its prospects, he pointed out that Pakistan has allowed access to China's organic chemicals and machinery on which tariff would be eliminated for most of the items in two years. As against this, access to Pakistani items would cover, among others, industrial alcohol, bed-linen, table linen, other home textiles, towels, cotton and blended fabrics, besides marble products, surgical goods, sports goods.
At the same time, he said that both sides would simultaneously eliminate tariff on certain fruits and vegetables too. More to this, the Minister also observed that the ambit of the Preferential Trade Agreement has been further enlarged, making it part of the EHP.
Mention, in this regard, may also be made of his exhortation to Chinese investors, pointing out that Pakistan provides transparent and liberal investment regime.
Understandable, as such, should be his reference to increased prospects of investment in infrastructure, in view of initiatives being vigorously pursued alike by the Federal and provincial governments, especially, citing projects like the Textile City and Garment City, which should have enough appeal to Chinese investors.
For, while focusing the textile sector, he made a pointed reference to availability, in abundance, in Pakistan not only of the raw materials, but also of skills it requires. Needless to point out, the ideal combination should serve as nothing short of a, seemingly, irresistible invitation to prospective Chinese investors, with a keen eye on this lucrative segment of the country's manufacturing industries.
Reference in this regard may also be made to his elaboration that the bilateral EHP would provide opportunities for import of machinery from China to Pakistan at zero duty, and that the Chinese investors could get the benefits of foreign markets for export of products manufactured in Pakistan. It will be recalled that alive to such prospects, teams of Chinese textile industries paid several visits to this country by way of exploring its entire potential.
However, as a great deal has changed over the years past, one can certainly look forward to fruition of ideas of increased co-operation between the businessmen from both the countries from the thrust mutual gains.