Publish Date : 5/22/2007 5:44:00 PM Source : PRO to CM
LONDON. Commerce Minister Humayun Akhtar Khan has expressed hope that his current four-nation visit to France, Italy, United Kingdom and Germany will lead to further improvement in trade relations with these countries and in particular with the European Union. Speaking to the London-based Pakistani media at the Pakistan High Commission, the Minister who reached UK on Monday after holding talks with his Italian counterpart in Rome said the primary purpose of his visit is to lobby for better market access for Pakistani products in the EU.
Mr. Khan said both President and the Prime Minister during their visits to the various European countries in the recent past had been giving importance on market access for the Pakistani produce. Pakistan High Commissioner to UK Dr.Maleeha Lodhi, Minister Economic, Pakistan Embassy in Brussels Mr.Tariq Iqbal Puri and Commercial Counsellor Saira Najeeb Ahmad were also present on the occasion. Europe, he said, is Pakistan's largest trading partner with 26 per cent of country's exports going to the different countries of Europe.
Speaking about his meeting with the British Trade Minister Ian McCartney, Mr. Khan said Britain is Pakistan's largest trading partner within the EU and is equally supportive of Pakistan's effort to initiate free trade negotiations with the EU. The Commerce Minister said he held in-depth discussion with his British counterpart following Mr.McCartney's recent visit to Pakistan." This was a positive discussion and the Minister has assured me of his country's continuous support for Pakistan." Humayun Akhtar Khan said the British Trade Minister has extended him an invitation to visit UK this July for further discussion on promoting trade and explore additional investment opportunities.
The Federal Minister mentioned President General Pervez Musharraf's recent visit to Poland and Spain and said both the countries have promised support to Pakistan on the question of greater market access. "We have impressed upon EU member States that the case for initiating free trade negotiations with Pakistan is not only necessarily economic but it is also a political one. "Pakistan where it is, it is important that its economy improves. It is the view of the Pakistan Government that trade plays a key role in improving our economy. Our exports are now growth led and we now think that this high growth rate which is essential to eliminate poverty can only be maintained through better market access."
Responding to a question, he said EU has given some preferential treatment to Pakistan such as twenty per cent reduction in textiles. "But the main issue is now that Pakistan is interested in signing free trade agreement but the challenge for 26 countries EU is to develop consensus on the issue. Some EU countries have their products to protect while others already have FTA with other countries outside EU."
The Commerce Minister expressed hope that agreement on Doha Development Agenda under World Trade Order would be signed soon following understanding between the Democratic and Republican parties in USA. He said Pakistan will stand to gain a lot from this agreement as tariff on Pakistani goods in USA and European markets which are already higher as compared to other countries, will reduce considerably and eventually pave way for better level playing fields for the Pakistani products.
Answering another question, Mr.Khan said the Government was seized about issue concerning EU ban on exports of Pakistani seafood and steps are being taken to remove the objections of the EU so that the exports may be resumed at the earliest. He said the Third Generation Agreement with EU was ratified by Pakistan in 2005 and now EU has to implement the re-admission agreement on immigration, which Pakistan has already approved, but the European Union has yet to do so. The Minister has now travelled to Germany, which holds the current presidency of the EU for talks with his German counterpart.
Pakistan
