Pakistan in Talks with US for Special Trade Incentives
Pakistan Times Business & Commerce Desk

ISLAMABAD: Commerce Minister, Hamayun Akhtar Khan Wednesday said Pakistan is in discussion with the United States for special trade incentives to create stability and secure market access for businesses.

These special trade incentives would create economic activity and generate jobs, thereby strengthening regional security, he said while announcing a Trade Policy 2007-08 here.

He said during his visit to Pakistan in 2006, the US President announced a Reconstruction Opportunity Zones (ROZs) programme, specially designated for border regions in Pakistan.

He said products produced in these Reconstruction Opportunity Zones would qualify for duty free entry into the United States.

Pakistan and US governments are in consultation on the modalities of this programme, Hamayun said, adding that it is expected that the ROZs would cover a large number of tariff lines including a number of textile and apparel categories.

The ROZs will give a boost to current export levels to the US and help to diversify the export mix.●