He disclosed that President General Pervez Musharraf has asked President George Bush for initiation of Pakistan-US talks for the FTA.
Pakistan and the US had signed Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (Tifa) in 2003, which is often considered as a prelude to signing of an FTA and last year, Pakistan Commerce Minister held talks with the USTR in Washington, as a follow up action.
The Commerce Minister said, while the US government has not yet responded to the call but there are "positive indications" that it could be forthcoming within the next few weeks. "In fact, a big step has been taken in this direction," he stated.
Humayun Akhtar said, " the US is our second largest market; and if you look at the size of the country, then it is our biggest trading partner."
The Commerce Minister was asked that since the year 2001, there had been a talk about Pakistan trying to gain more market access to the US market, but no progress was shown as such.
He stated that efforts were underway to seek concessions and to obtain increased market access with trading partners on bilateral basis.
To a question on effecting of 70 percent import duty on rice announced by Kenya, the Federal Minister said Pakistan was cognisant of the report, and that "we will take up the issue with Kenya."
He, however, said it was not correct to state that Kenya had done so solely for Pakistani rice, adding the increase in such a duty must be as per its overall policy in respect of rice.
Since our rice was the major export item with the country, and on the other hand we imported a huge volume of tea from Kenya, he said, adding hence " we want that our trading relations with Kenya remain favourable."
About discussion on accession to the new Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) Plus Scheme (zero-rated duty) with four major European Union (EU) countries, the Commerce Minister said the GSP Plus was to be implemented from July 1, and that in Europe even, it was still a proposal that Europe had tabled. It is to be finalised around March.
He said, "We are taking measures in this direction, it is in the notice of the President, and he had taken up the issue in Britain and France, during his official visits."
The Prime Minister has also discussed this matter with Ambassadors of the European countries in Islamabad.
In respect of lobbying, he stated that Pakistan Foreign Office was involved with the task. He said he himself and Secretary Commerce had undertaken extensive visits abroad, and we were on it, making a vigorous effort. "And, in this context, you must have noted that Pakistan government is acting in a responsible and effective manner."
Pakistan has asked for a grace period of three years up to 2008 for ratification and implementation of all the 27 conventions attached with the new Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) scheme.
To a query on Expo-2005, the Commerce Minister said "projection of the softer side of Pakistan was one of the objectives of Expo-2005."
He said over 500 buyers would participate in it and full scale preparations were now underway, as all the government machinery and foreign missions were working on it. "I am certain, this exhibition would take place successfully and it would become a yearly event," he added.
Of the concept of the Expo, he said, it was a new marketing tool and an event- while it's timing synchronised with the end of World Trade Organisation (WTO) quota textiles.
"We intend to invite international buyers to witness our products. If they are current buyers, they should increase their purchases, while effort is that more and more new buyers come to Pakistan."
He said, "we want to show them the soft side of Pakistan. We want rejection of any apprehensions in the minds of people about Karachi, which remains our largest business centre. It would prove to be a mega and export oriented event, projecting Pakistan's image as a moderate, enlightened and progressive country of the world."
According to an earlier report, the Commerce Minister said the largest trade show, the International Spring Trade Fair (ISTF) 2005, to be held at Karachi Expo Centre, would provide an opportunity to the local manufacturers to introduce their products to the international buyers.
The event would provide a platform for joint ventures, collaborations and prosperous investment opportunities for business communities from all around the world. Pakistani products of international standard will be displayed under a single roof available to the buyers.
Large delegations from the United States, Canada, European Union, China, Latin American countries, Middle East, Far East and African region have confirmed participation.
According to Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) sources, ten sectors have been selected for displaying their products at the exhibition on the basis of unique items, established brands and style of products. These are textiles and garments, gems and jewellery, leather, rice, sports goods, engineering goods, surgical items, pharmaceuticals, fisheries, fresh fruits, auto parts.
Some 450 exhibitors have so far booked space for stalls while, the organisers said, the remaining space at the exhibition was sufficient for only 50 stalls.
The EPB sources stated that over 15 commerce ministers from various countries, including those from Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, Jordan, Azerbaijan and Uganda will visit Expo Pakistan 2003 along with their large delegations, and they have expressed their intention to hold talks for bilateral trade promotion.