Regional integration: Govt eyes ASEAN, Central Asia for trade expansion

Dastgir says Pakistan close to achieving its goals.

ISLAMABAD: The government is looking at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and the Central Asian Republics (CARs) in a bid to open up new avenues for enhancing trade.

This was stated by Commerce Minister Khurram Dastgir Khan in a meeting with United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) Executive Secretary Dr Shamshad Akhtar.

“Last year’s economic performance, conclusion of the Pak-US Business Opportunities Conference, a successful trade policy review by the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and stable rating by Moody’s International depict that the policies of the government are taking us closer to our goals,” said the minister.



He said regional integration and trade liberalisation was the norm of the day, and the government was all set to expand and strengthen trade ties with Afghanistan and the Central Asian states.

“The recent commitment from both the governments of Afghanistan and Pakistan has sparked a new hope that Casa-1000 (power) and Tapi (gas pipeline) projects would materialise soon,” he said, adding it would bring further economic prosperity and trade integration in the region.

Shamshad Akhtar appreciated the efforts of the Ministry of Commerce and offered her full support to promoting sustainable development, trade and investment, social development and disaster risk reduction.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 3^rd,  2015.

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