Ministry Of Commerce

In pursuance of Government of Pakistan’s policy to seek better market access for Pakistani products through tariff preferences and reduction of non tariff barriers in International markets a meeting was convened between the trade officials of Pakistan and European Free Trade Association (EFTA) member states in Geneva on April 18, 2012. The EFTA comprises four non-EU member states namely Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. The Pakistan side was headed by Zafar Mahmood, Secretary Commerce while EFTA side was headed by Luzius Wasescha, Permanent Representative of Switzerland to the WTO and EFTA in Geneva. The delegation exchanged information on the economic situation in their countries. Both sides discussed the trade and investment flows between EFTA and Pakistan and their respective approaches to their preferential trade relations with third counties. Both sides have agreed that a recommendation to conclude a Joint Declaration on Cooperation between EFTA states and Pakistan will be submitted to EFTA Ministers at their next meeting on 28th June 2012, in view of a possible signing of such declaration at the following EFTA Ministerial meeting on November 26, 2012 in Geneva.

The third meeting of Pakistan-Australia Joint Trade Committee was held in Canberra on March 20, 2012. Mr. Zafar Mahmood, Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, led the Pakistan’s delegation. The JTC discussed numerous ways and means for expansion of cooperation in multifaceted fields including grant of greater access to Pakistani products to the Australian market, promotion of Australian joint ventures and enhanced investment in Pakistan, capacity building of Pakistani professionals and expertise in diverse sectors. Australia has recently completed the risk assessment processes for import of Pakistani mangoes and would be considering similar processes for Pakistan’s apples, citrus fruit and fisheries. The JTC considered the conclusion of a number of proposed agreements likesigning of a new MoU on revision of present bilateral Trade Agreement and a bilateral Investment Treaty. It was agreed that time bound targets would be set for making progress on all the trade and economic matters of mutual interest.

The inaugural session of Pakistan-New Zealand Joint Trade Committee (JTC) was held at Wellington, New Zealand on March 15, 2012 after a gap of 22 years. Pakistan’s delegation was led by Secretary Commerce Mr. Zafar Mahmood. During the meeting both sides reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral trade and ways and means to further enhance the economic cooperation, measures to establish instruction linkages between Pakistan and New Zealand, especially in the field of agriculture value chain and dairy industry. Pakistan also expressed its desire to export mangoes to New Zealand. Secretary Commerce conveyed Pakistan’s expression of interest to initiate negotiations on Free Trade Agreement (FTA), with New Zealand.