March 29, 2006	Wednesday	Safar 28, 1427

ISLAMABAD, March 28: Pakistan will provide technical assistance to the Kingdom of Lesotho in setting up of textile industries in that country. The offer was made by Textile Industry Minister Mushtaq Ali Cheema in a meeting with Lesotho Foreign Minister Monyane Moleleki here on Tuesday.

The Lesotho minister has shown interest in the development of his country’s textile sector with the cooperation of Pakistan.

Mr Cheema said that a Pakistani business delegation would soon visit Lesotho to review the situation and business opportunities there. The minister disclosed that a joint training programme for textile workers would also be under consideration to facilitate the workforce of both the countries.

The Lesotho minister said his country was interested in joint ventures with Pakistani business community, as they wanted to utilize their expertise. He said that his country wanted cooperation with Pakistan in all economic activities and setting up of textile industries in Lesotho under its national development programme.

“In this regard, Lesotho is ready to provide incentives and zero-rated tax facilities to Pakistani exporters and businessmen,” he said, adding that in Lesotho taxes are zero per cent in the textile sector. He said his country was also ready to provide jobs to Pakistani workers, especially belonging to the textile sector.