September 05, 2007	Wednesday	Sha'aban 22, 1428

ISLAMABAD, Sept 4: Pakistan and Tunisia on Tuesday signed four bilateral agreements to enhance volume of bilateral trade to $300 million from $25 million during next four years.

The agreements were signed in the areas of enhancing cooperation in industrial, science and technology fields besides cooperation in cultural, as well as tourism sectors.

The agreements were signed at the conclusion of two-day Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) session.

Federal Minister for Textile Mushtaq Ali Cheema and Nauraiz Shakoor, Federal Minister for Science and Technology signed the agreements on behalf of Pakistan while Afif Chelbi, Minister for Industry, Energy, Small and Medium Size Enterprises, Tunisia, signed the agreement on behalf of his government.

The two sides also approved the minutes of the 6th session of Pakistan-Tunisia JMC.

According to the minutes of the meeting, it was decided that constitution of Joint Business Council, in furtherance of MoU signed between FPCCI and UTICA in 2002, would be completed within a period of one month.

Both the countries agreed to exchange list of tradable goods within 90 days.

Constitution of a Joint Working Group on Industrial Cooperation was also agreed. The JWG, to be notified by Dec 31, would provide impetus to cooperation in establishment of joint ventures in the field of industry, including SMEs.

Constitution of a study group was also proposed to specifically examine and address all issues relating to textile, apparel industry and trade. The draft plan of the action of the group would be completed within 90 days.

The Pakistani side had also invited Tunisian investment in textile and garment cities being established in Lahore, Faisalabad and Karachi.

Creation of Joint Working Groups on Science and Technology were also proposed during the two-day discourse to act as focal bodies having focused approach to these sectors.