ISLAMABAD: During ongoing negotiations for the next phase of a free trade agreement (FTA) with China, Pakistan has sought such tariff concessions which have been given to other trading partners.

The two sides continued discussion on tariff reduction modalities, and Pakistan reiterated its stance that the accord should be based on principle of less than equal reciprocity in its favour.

Pakistan may also be allowed adequate time for reasonable reduction of tariffs keeping in view the prevalent conditions of Pakistani domestic industry, the Chinese delegation was informed as fifth round of talks concluded on Wednesday.

Taking into consideration the enhancement of trade in services under the free trade agreement, China side shared a preliminary list of sectors and sub-sectors for evaluation by Pakistan.

According to the commerce ministry, China wants enhanced cooperation in architecture, engineering, medical and dental, advertising, courier, travel and tourism, sports, recreation and cultural services.

The Chinese delegation was led by Yao Wenling, Deputy Director-General, Ministry of Commerce, while Robina Athar, Additional Commerce Secretary, led Pakistan’s side.

While discussing matters regarding sanitary and phyto-sanitary and technical barriers to trade, the two sides agreed that the concerned regulatory and monitoring authorities of the two countries would work more closely.

This close cooperation would help Pakistan export rice, mango, rapeseed, canola and cherries to China in the near future.

Both the sides expressed satisfaction over the progress made by the working group of Customs officials dealing with electronic data interchange-related issues.

It was decided that the electronic data-sharing systems would be put in place on both the sides before the end of the year to avoid under-invoicing and misdeclaration.

Published in Dawn, August 6th, 2015

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