ISLAMABAD, March 8: Pakistan and Singapore on Monday began talks to identify areas for duty concessions and cooperation under the proposed free trade agreement (FTA) between the two countries.

Official sources told Dawn that, in this regard, a delegation, led by a senior official of international cooperation, Singapore, Yap Shih Chia has arrived.

During the three-day meeting, the delegation would discuss in detail all the proposals and finalize recommendations for consideration under the proposed FTA, the officials said.

According to the officials, another delegation, led by state minister of Singapore, Dr Balaji Sadassivan, is scheduled to arrive on April 19-24. The minister would lead a 25-member delegation including representatives of the ministries of trade and industry, transport, international enterprise, Singapore and heads of various government linked companies.

According to the officials, during the proposed agreement, Singapore was likely to give Pakistan concessions similar to the ones it had given to India. Pakistan would welcome investment in the housing and hotel industry, development of IT parts in Pakistan, IT universities, availability of English speaking IT manpower for front offices in Singapore, setting up of a Singapore industrial Estate in Pakistan, recognition of the degrees of top 5 medical institutions and post-graduate degrees, diplomats of college of physicians and surgeons of Pakistan.

It was also proposed to set up nursing colleges in collaboration with Singapore Nursing Board, joint venture with the existing nursing outfits in the private and public sectors in Pakistan, scholarship scheme for Pakistani graduate, Ph. D students in Singapore universities, joint research projects in medical, engineering, life sciences, resumption of Singapore Airlines flights and joint promotion of Pakistan's tourist destinations including Pakistan's rich Buddhist heritage. Exchange of cultural troupe, collaboration between Singapore Cable Vision and Pakistan's private channels.

It was also proposed to arrange on reciprocal basis training for defence personnel and civil servants, setting up of research chairs under reciprocal arrangement in reputable universities and task force for evolving and implementing a comprehensive cooperation agreement.