Pakistan-Tunisia Joint Commission session kicks off
Moot to discuss PTA, avenues for bilateral investment, trade.
ISLAMABAD:
The two-day session of Pakistan-Tunisia Joint Commission kicked off on Wednesday with special focus on enhancing bilateral cooperation in various sectors of the economy including trade, investment, energy, finance and agriculture.
Three joint working groups were formulated that will discuss the preferential trade agreement (PTA), cooperation in science and technology and progress for signing pending agreements and memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the two countries.
Speaking at the inaugural session of the commission, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Nawabzada Malik Amad Khan said that although both countries enjoyed cordial relations there was still the need to enhance cooperation in various fields. The minister expressed the hope that the two-day session of the commission will outline recommendations for boosting relations particularly in the fields of trade, education agriculture science and technology. He highlighted the importance of involving the private sector so that business circles of the two countries cooperate in various sector of economy.
Khan added that despite several challenges, the economy of the country witnessed reasonable growth as exports have crossed the $25 billion mark last year whereas as foreign remittances increased to $11 billion with foreign exchange reserves touching $18 billion figure.
Speaking on the occasion, Tunisia’s Secretary of State for the Minister of Foreign Affairs Hedi Ben Abbes said that the PTA between Tunisia and Pakistan will be signed soon which will benefit Pakistan to gain access to European markets. He said that his country was looking forward to setting new standards of relationship with Pakistan.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 20th, 2012.
The two-day session of Pakistan-Tunisia Joint Commission kicked off on Wednesday with special focus on enhancing bilateral cooperation in various sectors of the economy including trade, investment, energy, finance and agriculture.
Three joint working groups were formulated that will discuss the preferential trade agreement (PTA), cooperation in science and technology and progress for signing pending agreements and memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the two countries.
Speaking at the inaugural session of the commission, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Nawabzada Malik Amad Khan said that although both countries enjoyed cordial relations there was still the need to enhance cooperation in various fields. The minister expressed the hope that the two-day session of the commission will outline recommendations for boosting relations particularly in the fields of trade, education agriculture science and technology. He highlighted the importance of involving the private sector so that business circles of the two countries cooperate in various sector of economy.
Khan added that despite several challenges, the economy of the country witnessed reasonable growth as exports have crossed the $25 billion mark last year whereas as foreign remittances increased to $11 billion with foreign exchange reserves touching $18 billion figure.
Speaking on the occasion, Tunisia’s Secretary of State for the Minister of Foreign Affairs Hedi Ben Abbes said that the PTA between Tunisia and Pakistan will be signed soon which will benefit Pakistan to gain access to European markets. He said that his country was looking forward to setting new standards of relationship with Pakistan.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 20th, 2012.