ISLAMABAD: Minister for Information and Broadcasting Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan on Friday said that Pakistan was focusing on to promote its bilateral trade with regional countries like Iran, China and Afghanistan aimed at giving boost to economic activities in the South Asian region.
During the question-hour session of the National Assembly, she said that the President and the Prime Minister also wanted to provide increased trade facilities to Pakistani business community and easy access to the markets of European countries and Latin America.
The Minister said Pakistan had suffered a lot due to its active role in war against terrorism and was facing great economic hardships so "We are engaging the world asking them that Pakistan needs trade not aid."
Replying to a question of Marvi Memon, she said the Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) was being negotiated with the United States, adding that negotiations on the BIT, which had been discontinued in 2006, were resumed in June, 2010.
Responding to a supplementary question of Sajid Ahmed, she said China had emerged as super power on the economic front and Pakistan was getting its assistance in various sectors.
She said Pakistan wanted enhanced bilateral trade ties with regional and European countries on sustained and long-term basis.
The minister assured the House that the government would protect national interest while signing any bilateral investment treaty. She said all-out efforts were being made to attract foreign and local investors to invest in different sectors of Pakistan.
The Minister said there was zero-rated duty on import of machinery and equipments used in agriculture sector. Besides, textile exports were increasing and "Let us hope for the best in other sectors also."
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