ISLAMABAD, Feb 25: The Eritrean government will import cement, food products, pharmaceuticals, rice and textile products from Pakistan.

This was stated by Eritrean National Development Minister Dr Woldia Futur in a meeting with Commerce Minister Humayun Akhtar Khan here on Friday.

An official announcement said that both sides also discussed preferential market access for each other products. The commerce minister has proposed to hold a single-country exhibition in Eritrea to introduce Pakistani products.

Mr Futur welcomed the proposal and said that his government was opening up the economy to attract foreign investment. He invited Pakistani businessmen to take advantage of this opportunity.

The commerce minister also briefed the Eritrean minister on liberal trade and economic regime of Pakistan and assured him of Pakistan's cooperation in various sectors like infrastructure, health, education and other components of the social sector.

Pakistan's exports to Eritrea in 2002-03 stood at $0.2 million. They increased to $0.3 million in 2003-04. However, no tangible imports recorded from Eritrea.