Secy Commerce terms PTA as big achievement
By Ali Imran

ISLAMABAD—Syed Asif Shah, Secretary Commerce on Wednesday underlined that the people of Pakistan felt honored at retaining the name of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah as the name of street in the main city of Port Louis.
Syed Asif Shah Secretary Commerce expressed these views during his meeting with Neewoor Secretary for International Trade and Foreign Affairs of Mauritius. The people of Pakistan are greatful for the kind offer of Mauritius government regarding the allocation of land in the main city of Port Louis. Syed Asif Shah appreciated the government and people of Mauritius for their keenness to retain the name of Quaid-e-Azam market and to build a complex on the side.
Secretary Commerce termed the PTA as a big achievement and congratulated the teams of Joint Working Group (JWG). The 7th Round of Pak-Mauritius joint Working Group started in Islamabad on Wednesday. The meeting reviewed the progress in the implementation of preferential trade agreement (PTA), which was signed on 30th July 2007 and became operational on 30th November 2007.
Both the sides discussed issues relating to cooperation in various fields of mutual interest. The secretary for International Trade and Foreign Affairs AP Neewoor led the ten members Mauritius delegation. The Pakistani side comprised of Mr. Ashraf Hayat, Additional Secretary Commerce and other officials. The JWG endorsed the establishment of Joint Trade Committee of officials as well as the Joint Committee of customs officials and order to facilitate the implementation of the PTA.
He told that the PTA would give a new impetus to the existing strong relations between the two countries. Mr. Neewoor expressed that bonds of friendship between people of both the countries are strong. And this is evident from the fact that 70% of Mauritius population traces their roots in the sub continent. The 7th Round of Pak-Mauritius joint Working Group started here Wednesday to review the progress in implementation of preferential trade agreement (PTA), which was signed on 30th July 2007 and became operational on 30th November 2007. Both the sides discussed issues relating to cooperation in various fields of mutual interest, says a press release. The secretary for International Trade and Foreign Affairs AP Deewoor led the ten members Mauritius delegation. The Pakistani side comprised of Secretary Commerce Syed Asif Shah, Additional Secretary and other officials.
Sub-committee on trade was constituted to review the progress so far made in the implementation of PTA. Public awareness about the trade links to be enhanced by participating in trade events. Secretary commerce told the delegation that Pakistanis feel honored on retaining the name of Quaid-e-Azam as the name of Mian Street in the city of Port Louis.
He told that the PTA would give a new impetus to the existing strong relations between the two countries. Deewoor expressed that bonds of friendship between people of both the countries are strong. And this is evident from the fact that 70 percent of Mauritius population traces their roots in the subcontinent, he concluded.