ISLAMABAD, July 27: Pakistan will seek more market access for its new products in Kenya to reduce the trade deficit between the two countries. A commerce ministry official told Dawn on Tuesday that in this connection a string of measures would be considered during the Kenya-Pakistan Joint Ministerial Commission scheduled for July 29-30 at Nairobi.

Commerce Minister Humayun Akhtar Khan will represent Pakistan in the meeting with Export Promotion Bureau chairman Tariq Ikram and a trade delegation from the FPCCI as his team.

Pakistan's major exports to Kenya include rice, wheat, cotton fabrics (woven) and made-up articles of textile including towel. While tea and mate were the major importable items from Kenya.

The statistics showed that Pakistan imported tea and mate worth $128.184 million from Kenya during the fiscal year 2002-03, out of total imports worth $135.192 million during the same period.

Pakistan exports mainly depend on availability of surplus wheat and rice. The export of rice to Kenya stood at $19 million and wheat $44 million during the fiscal year 2002-03, out of total exports of $112 million during the same period.

According to an official announcement, during the JMC, the Kenya-Pakistan Joint Business Council will arrange a meeting for the Pakistan delegation for renewing the council's activities between the two countries. The commerce minister would also hold meetings with the CEOs of Kenyan companies and leading entrepreneurs.

"The visit of the business delegation to Kenya will not only help in giving a boost to our bilateral trade relations, but will also lead to greater understanding between the two governments and their entrepreneurs," the announcement said.