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Published 19 Dec, 2004 12:00am

Pakistan, Sri Lanka to finalize fresh list

ISLAMABAD, Dec 18: An official delegation will leave on Sunday for Sri Lanka to finalize the fresh list of items to be considered under the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two countries.

An official in the commerce ministry told Dawn on Saturday that list of fresh items were already exchanged through the diplomatic channels by both sides.

During the two-day meeting, the officials of the two countries would finalize the lists.

Pakistan has offered to Sri Lanka Tariff Reduced Quotas (TRQs) on tea, betel nuts and betel leaves under the FTA.

However, Islamabad asked for similar concession on its export of rice, potatoes and onions to Colombo.

According to the official, Islamabad has also withdrawn its items of garment sector and other textile related products from the concession lists previously offered to the Sri Lanka.

The Sri Lankan authorities, the official said, have agreed to this decision, however, they demanded TRQs in certain textile sectors to be mentioned in the proposed fresh list of items for duty reduction.

The FTA framework agreement was signed by the two sides in 2002 during the visit of President General Pervez Musharraf to Sri Lanka. But it is yet to be finalized and implemented.

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