The Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Pakistan and Brunei Darussalam is likely to become functional after fourth round of Joint Study Negotiation between the two countries to be held next year. "The conclusion of the Joint Study Negotiations next year would pave the way for the Free Trade Agreement between Pakistan and Brunei."
The High Commissioner of Pakistan to Brunei Major General Syed Haider Jawed (Retd) and the Brunei Darussalam High Commissioner to Pakistan Colonel Abdul Jalil Ahmad (Retd) expressed these views at the Third Joint Study Group Meeting for exploring the possibility of a Free Trade Agreement.
They expressed the hope that the agreement would greatly help increase the existing trade between the two countries. The Third Joint Study Group Meeting for exploring the possibility of a Free Trade Agreement/Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between Pakistan and Brunei Darussalam was held here on Thursday.
Naeem Anwar, Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, Islamabad headed the Pakistani delegation and the Brunei side was headed by Abu Sufian Haji Ali, the Acting Director Department of International Trade and Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Both the leaders reviewed the potential for economic and trade co-operation between the two countries and expressed their satisfaction over the progress so far made during the previous two meetings of the Joint Study Group. The Study will be finalised soon and the recommendations will be submitted to the respective governments of both the countries for consideration.
The fourth and final round of the Joint Study would be held in Brunei Darussalam in February 2009. It may be recalled that this initiative is a part of the government's efforts to strengthen trade and economic relations with the Asean region.