ISLAMABAD, Sept 19: The Pak-Tunisia Joint Commission started its eighth session here on Wednesday to devise concrete roadmap for future economic cooperation between the two countries.

In the inaugural session the two sides focused on cooperation in trade, economy, agriculture, education, science and technology, railways, energy and telecommunication sectors.

The two-day moot would follow technical level meetings between the officials of the two countries on Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA). The two countries are expected to sign agreements to further cement their economic relations.

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Malik Amad Khan and Secretary of State for Affairs of Tunisia Hedi Ben Abbes led their respective sides at the opening of the joint commission meeting.

In his opening remarks, Ben Abbes stated that his country would continue to enhance economic and trade relations with Pakistan. Khan said that Pakistan is keen on enhance its existing friendly ties with Tunisia for exploring new avenues in economic and commercial fields.

Khan noted that trade between the two countries has picked up in the past couple of years, adding: “But there is certainly a need for taking concrete measures for increasing and diversifying bilateral trade.”

This year the joint commission session coincides with the second session of Pak-Tunisia bilateral political consultations between foreign ministries of the two countries. These consultations would provide an opportunity to exchange and share views on current significant developments taking place at regional and global level, Khan said.

He said that enormous opportunities exist for bilateral investment and joint ventures. The business circles of the two countries can collaborate in the fields of energy, industrial and small and medium enterprises sectors, science and technology, agriculture, telecommunication and education, he said.