Saturday, July 30 2005 18:01 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Islamabad: Pakistan Government has convened an inter-ministerial meeting next week, to discuss 28 proposals from India on bilateral trade promotion, including opening of the Wagah border for trade and according Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status to New Delhi, ahead of the forthcoming talks between their Commerce Secretaries.

An inter-ministerial meet has been convened on August 3, 2005 here to prepare Pakistan's reply to India's proposals, to be forwarded at the Commerce Secretaries meet, to be held in New Delhi on August 9 and 10.

The Indian proposals include, according Most Favoured Nation status to India by Pakistan, transit facilities for Indian goods for export to Afghanistan and Central Asian Republics, permitting private Indian airlines to operate in Pakistan, opening of Indian banks and amendment to the Shipping Protocol 1974 to permit third country vessels to operate between the two counties.

Secretaries and top officials of the Central Board of Revenue, Foreign Office, Commerce Ministry, Defence Ministry and Port and Shipping Ministry would attend the August 3, 2005 meeting to discuss the proposals submitted by India during the meeting last year, Daily Times said.

Commerce Secretary, Tasneem Noorani, who would head the Pakistani delegation said, "India will also look for an increase in the positive items list (currently 768 items) during the talks to enhance bilateral trade."

He said Pakistan currently permitted duty free items of meat, garlic, potatoes, tomatoes and onions to stablise prices at home. However, opening the Wagah-Attari border on a permanent basis is linked with the Government's progress on political issues.