ISLAMABAD, May 6: Federal Commerce Minister, Humayun Akhtar Khan said on Wednesday that government was considering a proposal to import cotton from Tajikistan to meet the local demand.

While discussing bilateral economic relations with a three- member delegation of Tajikistan led by minister for trade and economy, Solier Khakim here on Thursday Mr Khan said Pakistan would soon figure out procedures for importing cotton from Tajikistan.

Both sides agreed to enhance trade and economic relations between the two countries. The minister said that he would send a delegation to Tajikistan to explore the prospects of importing cotton from that country.

He also stressed the need of joint ventures in cement industry, textile, telecommunication and engineering sectors. He also offered technical and political assistance to Tajikistan in joining WTO.

The minister mentioned that the restrictive visa policy by Tajik government was one of the obstacles in improving people-to- people contacts as well as enhancing trade ties between the two countries.

He also talked about rationalizing the high tariff rates prevailing in Tajikistan in order to facilitate trade between the two countries. He also pointed out the problems in repatriation of capital from Tajikistan to Pakistan. The minister proposed Preferential Trade Agreement between the two countries which, according to him would increase the scope of economic cooperation in future.

The Tajik minister, Mr Khakim agreed to remove visa restrictions for the Pakistani business community so that both the countries might benefit form bilateral trade.

He requested Pakistan to start flights from Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi to Dushanbe to resolve transportation problems. He also offered to set up hydro-power projects in Pakistan.

Mr Khakim assured that his government would try to resolve all the problems faced by the Pakistani business community. He said that Pakistan could import aluminium from his country at reasonable prices and make use of it in various industries especially in housing sector.