The second Joint Trade Committee (JTC) meeting took place between Australia and Pakistan in Islamabad on Tuesday, with agricultural cooperation, taxation, investment cooperation and capacity building the key themes.
The meeting came after a gap of almost four years and was attended by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's west Asian first assistant secretary Deborah Stokes, while the Pakistani side was led by Dr Himayatullah Khan. The Australian high commissioner in Islamabad was also present during the meeting.
It is hoped that the meeting would enhance bilateral trade and economic relations between the two nations, the Pakistan Times reported.
Pakistan highlighted the need for Australian market access for some of its key export products, and also pleaded its case for import risk assessments to be carried out on mangoes, citrus fruit, apples and dates.
The need to reactivate the Pakistan-Australia Joint Business Council to promote trade and investment between the two countries was also raised at the meeting.
Both countries agreed to hold yearly JTC meetings, with the third to be held in Australia in 2011.
