Pak demands visiting US Commerce Secretary Ross for JVs and direct US market access.

LAHORE -- Founder Chairman Pak-US Business Council and veteran trader leader Iftikhar Ali Malik Wednesday demanded the visiting US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross for Joint Ventures (JVs) in economic sphere and free direct market access to Pakistan at zero duty in the wake of war against terrorism. Iftikhar Ali Malik said US should convene meeting of Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) to move forward for result oriented progress .There is already a GSP plus status for Pakistan in the US but new steps could be taken for getting maximum benefits of trade preferential facility, he further added. He said that what is Pakistan needs is to opt the model of joint ventures on the pattern of Egypt and some African countries to enhance trade ties with biggest economies like the US. Iftikhar said the last meeting of

TIFA was held in May last in which both sides had discussed ways to improve access to products such as agricultural goods and medicines in either markets. He said Pakistan had been keen to explore potential trade concessions as it could import more US cotton in...