Federal Secretary for Commerce Younas Dagha on Friday said that 10th round of talks between China and Pakistan on Free Trade Agreement is expected to be held in February. While talking to media after attending the meeting regarding arrangements of TEXPO 2019, to be held at the Lahore Expo Centre from April 11 to 14, 2019, Dagha said that Pakistan and China have come close on finalizing the terms and conditions of the agreement.
He also said that international sanctions are big hurdle in expanding the trade ties between Pakistan and Iran. He said balance of trade improved by 5% in six months adding that exports of country is increasing. Dagha said that Trading Corporation of Pakistan is going to start one-window operation for rice exporters.
While responding to the question regarding prices of potatoes he said that Pakistan has a bumper potato crop and Siri Lanka is the biggest market for Pakistani potato exporters. He also said that Pakistani exporters are facing issues in exporting potatoes to Afghanistan adding that now with the support of Trade office the export of potatoes to Afghanistan has started.
He said that government is focusing on non-traditional markets for the export of textile products which includes Africa, Russia, South America and Central Asian states.
Earlier, while talking to the stakeholders of textile based industry, Dagha said that government is endeavoring to create a business friendly environment to help generate the commerce and trade activities in the country with a view to speed up the pace of economy.
The secretary said that the upcoming TEXPO exhibition in Lahore would accelerate the pace of business activities and under the emerging Pakistan vision, our trade and commerce sector would emerge as a lead runner in the region.
Meanwhile, the stakeholders apprised the secretary commerce about the trade related issues being faced by them and requested for their redressal.
The secretary assured the businessmen of the government support and asked them to participate in the TEXPO 2019, which would be the hallmark of textile sector trade activities and would pave the way for making Pakistan a land of business opportunities.
"A large number of foreign buyers and global trade leaders are coming to Pakistan to participate in the mega event and there would be a dynamic opportunity for our local textile sector to exercise their potential in digging out mutual business openings," the secretary said.