ISLAMABAD, Nov 23: A high-level official delegation will leave for Yemen next month to explore the potential for further expansion of trade between the two countries.

A senior official in the Ministry of Commerce told Dawn that the delegation would leave for Sana to take part in the Pak-Yemen Joint Ministerial Commission meeting for identifying more areas for investment and cooperation.

According to the official, during the meeting discussion will be held on enhancing the trade, providing more facilitation to the businessmen and encouraging the private sector to take part in the investment in the both countries.

The Yemen government has already invited Pakistani businessmen to invest in the free trade zones at Aden.

According to the official, Pakistan’s trade balance with Yemen stood at $28.741 million during the year 2001-02 against $24.482 million in the year 2000-01, showing an increase of 17.39 per cent.

Further break-up showed that Pakistan exports to Yemen stood at $35.289 million during the year 2001-02 against $27.245 million in 2000-01, showing an increase of 29.52 per cent.

And Yemen exports to Pakistan stood at $6.548 million during the year 2001-02 against $2.763 million over the corresponding year, showing an increase of 136.98 per cent.

Pakistan imports high diesel oil, kerosene, goat skin raw, special machinery for particular industry, gaseous hydrocarbon, liquid, sheep skin without wool raw, turning shaving clips, furnace oil, acid oils, etc, from Yemen.

Pakistan exports to Yemen included textile yarn and fabrics, article for apparel cloth accessories, surgical instrument, rice, petroleum products, tobacco, pharmaceutical products, sugar, cane refined, ceiling fan electric, article of iron, etc.