France, Portugal to extend market access to Pakistan
Pakistan Times Business & Commerce Desk

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Commerce, Humayun Akhtar Khan met the French Minister for External Trade, Francois Loos here on Wednesday and exchanged views on trade and commercial relations between Pakistan and France and other EU countries.

Humayun Akhtar shared views with French minister on the new initiatives of European Commission. The French side expressed full understanding and support for Pakistan's viewpoint on market access.

The two sides agreed to enhance the present level of trade between the two countries by establishing linkages both at government levels and between communities of the two countries.

Humayun Khan apprised the French Minister of the initiatives taken by Pakistan to improve its economy. The Minister briefed him on the efforts being made for modernization of industrial sector in Pakistan. He elaborated the concept of 'enlightened moderation' envisaged for socio-economic change.

The Minister extended a formal invitation to the French Minister of External Trade to visit `Expo-Pakistan' being held in Karachi in February. The French Minister appreciated Pakistan's socio-economic progress and its contribution towards international peace and security.

The meeting was attended by the Ambassador of Pakistan in France Aneesuddin Ahmad, Pakistan's Economic Minister in Brussels M.Tariq Puri, and the Consellor in Paris Jahanzeb Khan. Earlier, the Commerce Minister also visited Portugal and had a meeting with Dr. Joao Neves, Director General for Trade and Commerce Lisbon.

Both sides shared their views on the enhancement of commerce and trade between the two countries. The Commerce Minister briefed the DG on trade and economic profile of Pakistan and invited the businessmen of Portugal to attend Expo-Pakistan in February, 2005.●