KARACHI: Minister for Commerce Khurram Dastagir Khan said on Friday that Pakistan and Thailand will soon start talks on the Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

He further said that his ministry would aggressively pursue trade diplomacy over the year ahead to ensure easy access to Pakistani exporters in lucrative international and regional markets.

Pakistan will initiate trade dialogue with Asean, a 10-member bloc of East Asian countries, to get status of ‘Full Dialogue Partner’ by 2018. This will set the stage for a full fledged FTA with Asean which will open up huge markets for Pakistan.

Negotiations with Japan and South Korea are also under way. Dastagir disclosed that Korean Minister for Trade has invited him, says a press release.

The minister’s visit to South Korea is expected in the second half of this calendar year.

Published in Dawn, May 9th, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play

Opinion

Editorial

Hasty transition
Updated 05 May, 2024

Hasty transition

Ostensibly, the aim is to exert greater control over social media and to gain more power to crack down on activists, dissidents and journalists.
One small step…
05 May, 2024

One small step…

THERE is some good news for the nation from the heavens above. On Friday, Pakistan managed to dispatch a lunar...
Not out of the woods
05 May, 2024

Not out of the woods

PAKISTAN’S economic vitals might be showing some signs of improvement, but the country is not yet out of danger....
Rigging claims
Updated 04 May, 2024

Rigging claims

The PTI’s allegations are not new; most elections in Pakistan have been controversial, and it is almost a given that results will be challenged by the losing side.
Gaza’s wasteland
04 May, 2024

Gaza’s wasteland

SINCE the start of hostilities on Oct 7, Israel has put in ceaseless efforts to depopulate Gaza, and make the Strip...
Housing scams
04 May, 2024

Housing scams

THE story of illegal housing schemes in Punjab is the story of greed, corruption and plunder. Major players in these...