Trade agreements: ‘Pakistan hopeful of FTA with GCC’

Khar hoped that in view of Pakistan’s special relations with GCC, the Pakistani workers would be give preference.

ISLAMABAD:

Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar on Wednesday said that Pakistan is looking forward to concluding a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in the near future.

A Foreign Office press release issued from New York said the foreign minister made these remarks during a meeting with the GCC troika; comprising the deputy foreign minister of Saudi Arabia, the foreign minister of Bahrain, and the secretary general of the GCC; on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

Foreign Minister Khar said the GCC was a major trading partner and Pakistan would like to further expand and diversify its trade with the region.

She also hoped that, keeping in view Pakistan’s special relations with the GCC, the latter would give preference to Pakistani workers.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 27^th, 2012.