Our Correspondent
Gwadar
Pakistan Ministry of Commerce and Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) organised an awareness seminar on the second phase of China-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement (CPFTA-II) for the businessmen of Gwadar and the surrounding areas.
According to Gwadar Pro, the seminar was one of the series of seminars being organized by the Ministry of Commerce and TDAP across the country to disseminate trade and export opportunities arising out of CPFTA-II which has become operational from 1st January 2020.
A large number of businesses affiliated with different trade bodies attended the seminar. This included members of the Gwadar Chamber of Commerce, Baluchistan Dates Growers Association, Fishermen Cooperative Society, and Freight Forwarders from Gwadar and Turbat.
Leading government agencies from Baluchistan including the Agriculture Extension Department, Live Stock Department, Gwadar Port Authority, Gwadar Development Authority, Commerce and Industries Department from Gwadar also attended the seminar.
Fahad Raza, Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, Islamabad welcomed the guests and highlighted the importance of CPFTA Phase-II. Ghulam Muhammad, former President, Gwadar Chamber of Commerce Industry appreciated the efforts of the Ministry of Commerce and TDAP and highlighted the export potential of businesses located in and around Gwadar.
Riaz Shaikh Director General-TDAP Karachi gave a detailed presentation on business opportunities under Phase-II of CPFTA.
He apprised that under the second phase of CPFTA, China had eliminated the tariff on 313 high priority tariff lines of Pakistan’s export interest. This includes textile, leather, agro-food, machinery, auto, and other leading sectors.
The exporters need to take full advantage of this opportunity by increasing their exports to China. A briefing on the opportunities emerging from the CPFTA for Pakistan concerning the import of goods from China was provided by Raees Naqvi, Section Officer, Ministry of Commerce.
An extensive questions and answers session was conducted, wherein queries of the participants were responded in detail. The event ended with the vote of thanks by Asif Kakar, Deputy Director, TDAP, Gwadar.
