17 October 2004	Sunday	02 Ramazan 1425

ISLAMABAD, Oct 16: Business leaders of Rawalpindi and Kashgar have agreed to hold exhibitions of their industrial products in the two cities to enhance bilateral trade between Pakistan and China.

The leaders of two sides reached an agreement in a meeting held here on Saturday. The Rawalpindi traders were represented by RCCI senior vice-president Jalil Ahmed Malik, while the Chinese delegation was led by Yang Guy Xin.

The Chinese delegation during the meeting expressed their desire to hold an industrial exhibition in Rawalpindi in order to exhibit their industrial products in Pakistan. "Rawalpindi is the closest and sister city of Kashgar. So it is better to enhance trade links between the two cities for better economic interest of the two countries," Mr Xin said.

The traders of Kashgar, he said, would hold an exhibition at the end of November that would help Chinese industrialists enter the Pakistani market. "The preparations for the exhibition are in final stage and we need cooperation of the RCCI in making this event a success," he said.

He invited RCCI members to hold an industrial exhibition in Kashgar in June next year to promote their products in the Chinese market. "We will provide all possible help, support and cooperation to our brothers in holding exhibition in Kashgar and provide you free space," he announced and said that holding industrial exhibition would help in enhancing the trade and economic cooperation between China and Pakistan. The RCCI senior vice-president assured the Chinese delegation of complete support in holding industrial exhibition in Rawalpindi. "We will provide you all possible help, assistance and space for the exhibition."

Mr Malik said Rawalpindi was a gateway to China, Afghanistan and Central Asia, and the traders of this city had a responsibility to enhance trade links with these regions and win markets.

Accepting the invitation of holding exhibition in Kashgar in June next year, Mr Malik said the traders of Rawalpindi would use full potential to exhibit their products in China.