July 11, 2003	Friday	Jumadi-ul-Awwal 10, 1424

ISLAMABAD, July 10: The commerce and foreign trade ministers of Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) are likely to finalize “ECO trade agreement” at a three-day meeting to be held here on July 15.

Besides, three-day second ECO ministerial meeting is likely to take up other important issues being confronted by the member states.

According to official sources high-level experts groups on tariff and non-tariff barriers will also discuss tariff and trade problems of the region and try to evolve a viable strategy to meet the growing challenges of WTO regime.

The meeting will also consider the draft agreement on promotion and protection of investment in the ECO region and recommendations regarding future course of action.

According to the programme, the ECO secretariat will make a brief presentation on the present ECO cooperation in the field of trade and investment and other allied issues such as trade policy environment in the region.—APP