SIALKOT: The Ministry of Commerce and Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) organised an awareness webinar on the second phase of China-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement (CPFTA) on October 27.

The webinar was one of the series of webinars being organised by the Ministry of Commerce and TDAP across the country to disseminate the trade and export opportunities arising out of CPFTA-II, which has become operational from January 1, 2020.

A large number of business persons from Sialkot Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCI), Pakistan Sports goods Manufacturers & Exporters Association (PSGMEA), Pakistan Leather Garments Manufacturers & Exporters Association (PLGMEA) and Pakistan Gloves Manufacturers & Exporters Association (PGMEA) attended the webinar.

Nauman Aslam, Joint Secretary (FT-I), Ministry of Commerce, Islamabad welcomed the distinguished guests. President of SCCI thanked all the guests and provided in-depth introduction of SCCI.

Zeng, Second Secretary, Chinese Embassy, Pakistan also participated and shed light on the topic from his side. Ghulam Qadir from Ministry of Commerce gave a detailed presentation to the audience about the second phase of CPFTA, which offers an enhanced market access and trade & investment opportunities to Pakistan. He apprised that under CPFTA-II, China had eliminated the tariff on 313 high priority tariff lines of Pakistan's export interest, providing Pakistan a preferential market access.

Anjum Asad Amin, Member of National Tariff Commission (NTC), Islamabad, also addressed on safeguard measures under CPFTA-II. She stated that safeguard measures and balance of payment clauses were included under the CPFTA-II to protect local industry. An exclusive Q&A session was conducted, wherein all the queries of the participants were responded thoroughly. The event ended with a vote of thanks by Zahid Qadeer, Director, TDAP, Sialkot.-PR

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