More great news on the ever expanding economic ties between Pakistan and the economic juggernaut that is Great China. :k:
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_26-10-2003_pg5_9
Technical negotiations on Pak-China PTA from tomorrow
Pakistan and China would initiate technical negotiations on the proposed preferential trade agreement (PTA) from tomorrow (Monday), and to this effect a three-member team of experts would leave for Beijing today (Sunday). The PTA is to be signed during the forthcoming China visit of President Gen Pervez Musharraf. The president will start his five-day China visit on November 1, and officials say that the signing of the PTA is the most important item on his agenda. The three-member team leaving Sunday comprises of Shahid Bashir, chief customs, Asad Majeed from the foreign office and Dr M Saeed, deputy secretary in the FT wing of the commerce ministry. “Pakistan would offer tariff concessions in 88 items and would try to have concessions in 100 items from China,” said an official source said. He added that the Pakistani team would discuss 506 items in the technical negotiations, out of which tariff concession on 88 would be offered to China. Similarly, the Chinese team would finalise 100 items to be traded between the two countries under the PTA.
The items that Pakistan would take up for technical deliberations are following:
Fresh or chilled butterfish, shrimps and prawns, onion fresh or chilled, pine nets, sates, dry and fresh, mangoes, guavas, orange, kinoo, grapefruit, apples, pears and quinces, apricots, durum wheat, rice, urea, perfumes &toilets waters, shampoos, dental floss, soap, dental floss, raw material in textile industry, carpets, rugs, durries, electric tables, desk, floor standing lamps, fitting of base metal for fluorescent tubes, chandeliers, metal furniture of kind used in offices, wooden furniture of kind used in offices, operating tables, dentist chairs, imitation jewellery ness, medical, surgical, dental or veterinary furniture, barbers’ chairs and similar chairs, ski boots, cross country ski footwear and snow board boots, Articles of apparels, gloves, mittens and mitts, belts and bandoliers, silk yarn, women’s or girls’ suits, ensembles, jackets, blazers, dresses, skirts, divided skirts, trousers, bib and brace overall, breeches and shorts, men’s or boys underpants, briefs, nightshirts, pyjamas, bathrobes, dressing gowns and similar articles, knitted or crouched, jersey, pullovers, cardigans, waist-coats and similar articles, knitted or crouched, babies garments and clothing accessories, girdles, corsets, braces, suspenders, garters and similar articles.