The negotiations between the seven-nation South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation (Saarc) for free trade zones are in advance stage and feasibility for such an arrangement between Pakistan and GCC is to be launched shortly.
Most of the Saarc nations, like Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and India are major trading partners of the Gulf nations directly, but now the GCC states are taking a lot of decisions collectively on questions like migrant workers, investment, economic co-operation and trade.
Hence, the relations under arrangements for free trade will facilitate and enhance the commercial dealings further.
Answering questions on signing of memorandums of understanding (MoUs) between Pakistan and GCC leaders and Kuwait, the Foreign Office spokesman acclaimed them as important steps forward which would benefit the region as a whole.
Describing the GCC as a "strong economic entity" in the region, Masood Khan said that the recent agreements would increase economic and commercial interaction between Islamabad and GCC members.
He recalled Pakistan's accession to Asian Regional Forum and that it was also going to host a conference of the Asian Co-operation Dialogue (ACD).
Pakistan's membership of Economic Co-operation Organisation of which the Central Asian nations are members, and the forum of D-8, Masood said, were important pivots in the current era of globalisation.
The new agreement with the GCC, he said, was a good beginning, and Pakistan would like to sustain it.