November 25, 2001	Sunday	Ramazan 9, 1422

ISLAMABAD, Nov 24: Minister for Commerce, Industries and Production, Abdul Razak Dawood, has urged strategic trade partnership between Pakistan and China, particularly in the textile sector.

The Minister was addressing a gathering of major Hong Kong based importers of cotton yarn and textiles during a brief stop- over at Hong Kong on the conclusion of his tour of China, it was officially stated here on Saturday.

Razak Dawood strongly emphasized the need for greater focus on the China market by the Pakistani entrepreneurs.

The Minister stated that the International Coalition’s campaign against terrorism in Afghanistan had in no way impacted industrial productivity in Pakistan. Supplies from the country are proceeding normally without any disruptions, he said.

He also briefed the participants about the recent concession from the EU and the US providing greater market access to Pakistani product, particularly those in the textile group.

Addressing a reception hosted in his honour by the Pakistan Association of Hong Kong on Friday, the Minister emphasized the need for greater unity and support for the government in a critical time when the entire nation should stand as one.

The minister spoke of the serious challenges that the present government was confronted with in the post-September 11 situation and how the government had very astutely handled an extremely complex and dangerous situation.

Members of the Pakistan community in Hong Kong assured the Minister that they would close their ranks and stand with their government in this time of national crisis.—APP