BEIJING, June 26: China will exempt imports from 26 under-developed African countries from tariff, its finance ministry said on Tuesday, in an attempt to promote mutual trade.

The regulation, approved by the State Council or the cabinet, will exempt 256 items China imported from the 26 countries with effect from July 1. The move would “further enlarge China’s imports from African countries, and promote the better development of mutual trade,” the ministry said. It did not name the 26 countries or the items.

Beijing will also lower import taxes on 3,975 categories of goods from Pakistan, by 11 per cent to an average tax rate of 8 per cent, with effect from July 1, the statement added.

China lowered tariffs on a broad range of imports from 29 African countries in January 2005 as well.

China is broadening trade ties with Africa, an important source of minerals, crude oil, cotton and other natural resources, and has offered its African allies a variety of investments and financial packages.—Reuters