ISLAMABAD, July 12: Minister for Textile Industry Mushtaq Ali Cheema said on Thursday Pakistan would extend technical support to Tunisia in developing its textile industry.

He stated this in a meeting with Ambassador of Republic of Tunisia Zouhaier Dhaouadi to Pakistan. Tunisia seeks Pakistan’s cooperation in development of its textile industry.

He said Tunisia was also interested in importing textile products from Pakistan due to their better quality and competitive prices. A high- level trade delegation of Tunisia will visit Pakistan in the month of September for negotiations with the textile exporters.

Mr Cheema said Tunisia would also review the possibility of joint-ventures with Pakistani businessmen as Pakistan had good technical know-how and expertise in various fields, especially in the textile sector.

He informed the ambassador that Pakistan has formulated its textile policy, which will be announced by the end of this month. The draft of the policy is being submitted to the prime minister for approval before announcement, he added.

Ambassador Zouhaier Dhaouadi said that the Tunisian business community was keen in joint venture with Pakistani businessmen in various fields including the textile industry.

Meanwhile, Minister for Industries, Production and Special Initiatives Jahangir Khan Tareen in a meeting held to discuss cooperation between the two ministries said that the government was making efforts to upgrade and modernise textile sector so as to make it more competitive and efficient.

The secretary Textile gave a detailed presentation on Pakistan's textile sector and highlighted the areas where synergies could be developed between two ministries.

He informed the participants that the textile sector wanted collaboration with industries in some areas.