February 27, 2003	Thursday	Zul Hijjah 25, 1423

ISLAMABAD, Feb, 26: Pakistan and Japan have agreed to look into the possibility of signing a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) for duty free trade of non-agriculture products between the two countries.

A proposal to this effect was floated by Pakistan’s commerce minister Humayun Akhtar Khan during a meeting with his Japanese counterpart in Tokyo, said an official statement reaching here.

The minister proposed the two countries should explore the possibility of entering into negotiations on a bilateral FTA with particular emphasis on non-agriculture products, while the agriculture products may be handled in negotiation under the WTO.

The Japanese minister welcomed the proposal and said that Japan would thoroughly examine both the proposals. The two sides also discussed the resumption of Japanese loans to Pakistan, the statement said.

The minister concluded his two-day visit to Japan as part of preparations to take a position in the next WTO meeting in September this year.

During the visit the minister inaugurated Pakistan apparel and home textiles exhibition being held in connection with 50th anniversary of the establishment of Japan-Pakistan diplomatic relations.

In addition, he held a meeting with his Japanese counterpart as well as chairman, Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), and called on chairman, Japan-Pakistan Parliamentary Friendship League.

The minister also held meetings with the chairman of Pakistan-Japan Business Cooperation Committee and the president, Japan Foreign Trade Council (JETC).

In his meeting with the Japanese minister of economy, trade and industry Takeo Hiranuma, the two sides exchanged views on commercial and trade cooperation between Pakistan and Japan and agreed to increase the trade between the two countries.

The commerce minister said that Pakistan was willing to give land for establishment of a free industrial zone exclusively for the Japanese companies to manufacture products for exports.

In his meeting with Mitsuo Horiuchi, chairman of the Japan-Pakistan Parliamentary Friendship League, the minister held an in-depth discussion on the current status of Pakistan-Japan relations and urged Japan to increase its import of value-added items from Pakistan, particularly textiles which have made a remarkable progress in recent years.

Mr Horiuchi landed the closeness of Pakistan-Japan relations and said that Japan-Pakistan Parliamentary Friendship League would continue to strive for furthering these ties.

In his other meetings, including those with the chairman of Japan-Pakistan Business Cooperation Committee, the president of Japan Manufacture Import Promotion Organization (MIPRO) and the president of JETC, he discussed commercial and trade matters and ways and means to further improve the bilateral trade.

Minister of state and chairman EPB, Tariq Ikram, also joined the meetings. The minister and the EPB chairman along with the Japanese dignitaries inaugurated the Pakistan apparel and home textiles exhibition.