KARACHI, Dec 3: Pakistani rice will soon find a place in Chinese market as Beijing is reported to have given consent to include it in the list of about 777 odd items that are being given preferential treatment.

Authoritative and knowledgeable sources in Karachi say that bed sheets and pillows will also be considered for inclusion in the list of preferential treatment by China when the officials of two countries sit together to expand the list under PTA when Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz visits China mid of this month.

China has tough quarantine regulations and the permission to market rice from Pakistan has been given only after ascertaining the compliance capacity of rice dealers in Pakistan.

Substantial amount of work for taking up expansion of preferential list of items was done by the Commerce Secretary who visited China recently and by the Vice Chairman of the EPB.

Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has a long agenda to talk with the Chinese leaders next fortnight, which include defence related issues, political matters, investment and business proposals. Shaukat Aziz met Chinese premier when he was finance minister and is understood to have developed a sort of rapport with him.

Not much headway has been made in the bilateral trade between the two countries in last one year after Pakistan and China signed the PTA November last year. The two-way trade between Pakistan and China in 2003-04 touched $1.4 billion.

Only recently, the two countries have decided to sign a Free Trade Agreement. Committees have been set up in Pakistan and China. But nothing has been done so far. It is to be seen whether Prime Minister's visit to China activates these committees to explore grounds for concluding FTA.

Though, Pakistan exports to China have been increasing gradually, the trade relations have always been in favour of China. In 1996-97 Pakistan suffered trade deficit of $439.5 million, which almost doubled in 03-04 to $865.48 million.

Pakistan has also become a big dumping ground for all varieties of Chinese goods that have swamped markets in Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta and even small cities and towns.

Name anything and a China made good is available. Estimates vary on quantification of Chinese goods that are coming in Pakistan markets through unauthorized channels.

Officials put this figures at $250 million worth of Chinese goods coming from Khunjrab check post to Gilgit. Gilgit is said to be the conduit of all such Chinese goods, which are trickling in with active connivance of junior customs officials of the border customs check post.

The Central Board of Revenue is taking necessary steps to regularise this cross border trade between China and Pakistan, and the border customs check post is expected to be upgraded.

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