ISLAMABAD: After a gap of 22-year, the inaugural session of the Pakistan New Zealand Joint Trade Committee (JTC), was held at Wellington, New Zealand on Thursday to review the entire gamut of bilateral trade and ways and means to further enhance the economic co-operation .
Pakistan's delegation was led by Secretary Commerce Zafar Mahmood while New Zealand side was headed by Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) of the country, says a statement issued by the Ministry of Commerce here today.
During the meeting both sides reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral trade and ways and means to further enhance the economic co-operation Measures to establish instruction linkages between Pakistan and New Zealand, especially in the field of agriculture value chain and dairy industry were agreed upon.
The Secretary Zafara Mehmood conveyed Pakistan's desire to benefit from New Zealand's expertise in the areas of Agriculture and food processing (especially dairy),Technical-level education in food processing, animal health, post-harvest techniques and dairy and Renewable energy sources.
Pakistani side also expressed a desire to export mangoes to New Zealand.
The Secretary Commerce also conveyed Pakistan's expression of interest to initiate negotiations on Free Trade Agreement (FTA), with New Zealand.
He further said that Pakistan will send a business delegation to New Zealand around November 2012. He also invited New Zealand business delegation to Pakistan.
The meeting held under the Pakistan - New Zealand Trade agreement initiated in 1990, is expected to provide a new direction to bilateral trade to achieve its full potential.
At present, the total volume of Pakistan New Zealand trade is US$ 107 million and the balance of trade is in favour of New Zealand.
The Pakistani delegation also called on John Hayes, MP and Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs and Chair of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Select Committee.
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