Pakistan and China sign three trade agreements

KARACHI (March 05 2005): Pakistan and China on Friday informally signed three trade agreements on rice, citrus and livestock export. The trade agreements would be formally signed during the visit of Chinese prime minister to Pakistan next month. According to the agreements, Pakistan would export rice and citrus to China, while it would import livestock. China will also export livestock to other countries via Pakistan. The trade agreements were signed in Lahore after a brief discussion between visiting Chinese delegation and Pakistani officials and rice exporters.

Rice Commissioner Inayatullah, Quarantine head and Food, Agriculture and Livestock additional secretary signed the agreements from the Pakistani side, while Dr Deliang Tang, Head of Quality Supervision, Inspection, Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of PR China and Dr Jiao Yi, Head of Plant Inspection and Quarantine, Shenzhen Inspection and Quarantine Bureau of China, signed them from the Chinese side.

Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (Reap) Chairman Syed Najaf Hussain Shah also counter-signed the trade agreements.

Najaf, while talking to Business Recorder, said that it is the first time that any agreement had been signed in the first sitting. All the matters were discussed in detail and both the sides agreed to sign an informal agreement, he added.

He said China imports 8 million tonnes rice per annum. Pakistan is the fourth country after Thailand, Vietnam and Uruguay (Latin America), which signed rice trade agreements with China.

Rice trade between both the countries is likely to start in April after formal signing of the agreements.