Times of Oman - 15/10/2005

First round of AGCC free-trade talks with India, Pakistan to begin by mid-November

Dr Abdul-malik bin Abdullah Al Hinai, economic affairs undersecretary at the Ministry of National Economy, has said that the first round of free trade negotiations between the AGCC and India and Pakistan will commence by the middle of November 2005.

He said this round would discuss the timeframe and the lists of commodities to be covered by the agreement.

He said establishing a free-trade zone between the council’s states and India and Pakistan will help boost commodities movement and increase trade among the three sides.

He said the council’s countries would benefit from negotiating collectively with other parties.

He noted that the council’s states would enter into similar negotiations with other countries such as Turkey.