BEIJING, Aug 18: Pakistan will hold a first-ever business conference in Urumqi, capital of China’s Western region Xinjiang, on September 2 to promote trade and economic ties between the two countries.

It will be participated by a large number of Pakistani and Chinese entrepreneurs. It coincides with an international fair being held at Urumqi from September 1 to 5. A special “Pakistan’s pavilion” will be arranged on the occasion for projecting country’s export potential.

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has also announced to launch its weekly regular flight between Islamabad and Urumqi from Sept 2.

The business conference, being arranged by the Pakistan Embassy in collaboration with the Export Promotion Bureau, is likely to give a big boost to bilateral trade, especially through the land route, said Commercial Counsellor Shahid Mahmood.

He said the conference would help create awareness amongst the business community about the Early Harvest Programme being launched from January 2006, under which the two countries would bring excise duty to zero on certain items.

Pakistan has recently taken various measures, developing its trade contacts with the Xinjiang region that has 17 ports and provides an important passage connecting it with middle and west Asian countries.—APP