May 17, 2006	Wednesday	Rabi-us-Sani 18, 1427

ISLAMABAD, May 16: Pakistan and China on Tuesday started the third round of negotiations on bilateral free trade agreement (FTA), with officials from the two sides having technical discussions on various issues of bilateral interest.

A 15-member team of senior officials of the Chinese commerce ministry led by Zhou Hong is taking part in the negotiations, with the Pakistan side led by Shahid Bashir, joint secretary, ministry of commerce, officials said.

The discussions will continue for three days (May 16-18). The Chinese assistant commerce minister and Commerce Minister Humayun Akhtar Khan will hold talks on Friday.

The two sides are holding talks on the FTA keeping in view complementary advantages in their industrial and trade structure, the officials add.

The agreement will be a major step forward in expanding economic ties between the two friendly countries.—APP