Finance Minister Senator Ishaq Dar chaired a meeting to review trade-related issues with Saarc countries here on Saturday. Commerce Minister Khurram Dastgir Khan briefed the participants of the meeting on the status of trade relations of Pakistan with the regional countries.
He also informed that as per instructions of the Prime Minister, he will be representing Pakistan in the forthcoming South Asia Free Trade Agreement (Safta) meeting to be held in Bhutan next week. He also gave a briefing on expected meetings with his counterparts from the Saarc countries, including India, on the sidelines of the Safta meeting. Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry gave an overview of the political dimensions in the regional context and suggested ways and means to move ahead on enhancing trade and investment relations within the Saarc countries. He also briefed the participants of the meeting on latest political developments in the region and their impact on mutual bilateral relations among the Saarc Countries.
Finance Minister said the Commerce Minister''s visit to Bhutan was an important visit, where in addition to participation in Safta meeting, he would also have the opportunity to meet with his counterparts from regional countries. He said "it must be ensured that all the concessions on the regional co-operation are on reciprocal basis and concerns of our industry should be taken care of in the arrangement."
He said the PM had a vision for peaceful neighbourhood and an enabling environment for economic development in the region. Finance Minister underlined that Pakistan was ready to move forward on extending its trade and investment relations with the regional countries provided that the other countries also provide meaningful market access and level playing field for Pakistan''s exports. He said all the pros and cons of regional trade would be evaluated to accrue maximum benefits in Pakistan''s exports within the region. Finance Minister gave a roadmap to the Commerce Minister to move ahead on regional co-operation.-PR