ISLAMABAD, Feb 16: A Chinese delegation is due on February 20 to start formal negotiations with Pakistani authorities on the proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

An official in the ministry of commerce told Dawn on Wednesday that the Chinese delegation during the seven months stay would deliberate on the areas to be considered under the FTA.

It was likely that at the end of the meeting, the two sides would develop an agreed draft agreement, which would be discussed with the relevant stakeholders in both the countries before it was signed.

The two sides would also discuss the items to be added in the list of the preferential trade arrangement (PTA) and other items to be listed for deeper cuts in the customs duty under the PTA.