ISLAMABAD, July 6: The commerce ministry will finalise trade promotion proposals in a series of three inter-ministerial meetings before the announcement of the trade policy on July 17.

An official in the commerce ministry told Dawn that first meeting was held on Friday to discuss formally the proposals of various ministries for consideration in the upcoming trade policy 2007-08.

Commerce Minister Humayun Akhtar Khan headed the meeting. It was attended by ministers and representatives of the ministries of textile, industry, food, health, chairman federal board of revenue (FBR) etc.

According to the official, the second meeting will be held on Monday to further discus the proposals which are on the table submitted by these ministries.

“We hope to finalise the first draft after the conclusion of these meetings before submission to the prime minister for formal approval,” added the official.

In the first meeting, the official said that proposals submitted by the FBR and the health ministry were discussed, which were mostly related to procedural changes and allowing of import of certain medicines from India under the policy.

Already meetings were held with the representatives of trade organisations, association and various chambers for consideration in the trade policy.

The new policy will focus on increasing exports from five new sectors - gems and jewellery, furniture, marble, granite, horticulture and surgical equipment besides a range of facilitation measures for exporters.