ISLAMABAD, Aug 19: Pakistan and the United States will discuss in detail bilateral trade issues during the first Trade and Investment Facilitation Agreement (TIFA) Council meeting to be held in Washington in the last week of September this year.

During this meeting, Pakistan will effectively take up the issues of its interest including enhanced market access for its products in the US market, Commerce Minister, Humayun Akhtar Khan told APP here on Thursday.

To a question, Humayun Akhtar said, on the occasion Pakistan and the US are also likely to sign a bilateral trade agreement, adding, under the proposed agreement, the two countries will ensure protection for each other's companies.

The agreement will also boost confidence of the US companies for investment in Pakistan, the Minister said. During this meeting, the minister said, Pakistan would focus on trade instead of aid, seeking increased market access opportunities, particularly in the textile sector.

Besides, Humayun said, Pakistan would also take up the issue of higher tariff for Pakistani products in the US market as compared to other countries, seeking some relief in this respect.

To a question regarding travel advisories, the Commerce Minister said, this issue would be taken up in the meeting. To another query regarding US apprehensions on Pakistan's Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs), Humayun said, this issue would also be discussed during the first TIFA Council meeting.

When asked about the matter of giving administrative control of Pakistan Intellectual Property Rights Organization (PIPRO) to the cabinet division, Humayun said, it was the Federal Cabinet's decision and could only be reversed by the Cabinet.

He said during the recent trade talks with India Pakistan also raised the issues like equal trade opportunities for both the countries, tariff and non-tariff barriers, etc. -APP