Pakistan, Kenya to boost Trade, Economic ties
Pakistan Times Business & Commerce Desk

NAIROBI (Kenya): Pakistan and Kenya have agreed to boost their bilateral trade and economic relations, through the strengthening of existing relations and identification of new areas of cooperation.

The issue was discussed in detail at the 3rd session of Pakistan-Kenya Joint Ministerial Commission opened here in Nairobi on Thursday and co-chaired by Commerce Minister, Humayun Akhtar and Kenyan Foreign Minister, Ali Mwakware.

Humayun Akhtar Khan is leading a delegation from the private and public sector representatives.

In his inaugural address, the Kenyan Foreign Minister welcomed the Commerce Minister to Kenya and stated that Kenya values its friendship with Pakistan and expressed the desire for further deepening of economic and commercial ties between the two countries.

He promised to do more to enhance the bilateral trade relations, suffering from a trade deficit since long at the governmental level.

Humayun Akhtar in his opening statement said that the Pak-Kenya JMC has served as an important forum for the review of existing relations as well as identification of new areas of cooperation.

The Commerce Minister highlighted un-explored avenues to strengthen economic and trade relations between the two countries.

He stressed the need for exchange of information, business delegations and regular participation in each others’ trade fairs. The Commerce Minister expressed his desire that both the countries should lower down the tariff and non-tariff barriers to expand the trade.

In this respect he hoped that both the countries would be able to make progress in their negotiations on Preferential Tariff Agreement (PTA).

Humayun informed the participants of the economic development of Pakistan under the leadership of President Musharraf and the wide-ranging structural reforms since the inception of present government.

The Commerce Minister also had a meeting with Minister for Trade of Kenya, Dr. Mukhisa Kitui. Both the Ministers agreed to work together to promote bilateral trade and investment.

Both the Ministers hoped that a roadmap would be prepared for conclusion of a Preferential Trade Agreement between the two countries and resolved to continue a serious dialogue to resolve all the outstanding matters.●