event details - Pakistan China Free Trade Agreement (FTA): Where we are and where we are going?

Introduction:

SDPI often organizes roundtable discussions, seminars, lectures and conferences where researchers and policy makers are facilitated to exchange ideas and benefit from each other’s experiences. One of the key subjects for such activities is Pakistan’s trade with other countries in South Asia and beyond, particularly with Western Europe, North America and China.

The commercial relationship between the Pakistan and China has been extremely important for the Pakistani economy. Cognizant of this importance, Islamabad and Beijing have been engaged in trade negotiations since long. An important development in this regard took place on April 28th, 2019 when, after eight years of negotiations, the two sides successfully concluded the second phase of a bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Even though Pakistan and China had signed two FTAs already — one in 2006 on trade in goods and the other in trade in services in 2009 — their impact has been less than salutary on Pakistan’s economy. The latest conclusion of talks on another FTA is expected to change that by changing the focus of Pakistani economy from consumption to exports. 

In this context, the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) is organising a seminar — Pakistan China Free Trade Agreement (FTA): Where we are and where we are going? The purpose of this seminar is to study various FTAs between Pakistan and China and to find out how Pakistan can reap maximum benefits out of them.

Opening Remarks: 

• Dr Hina Aslam, Head of China Study Center, SDPI

Guest of Honour: 

• Yao Jing. Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan (TBC)

Special Remarks by:

• Ms.  Shandana Gulzar Khan, Parliamentary Secretary Commerce, Ministry of Commerce
• Ms. Kanwal Shauzab, Parliamentary Secretary, Planning, Development and Reform

Moderator:

• Amna Sarwar Sandhu, Project Associate, SDPI 

Panellists:

• Dr. Liaqat Ali Shah, Executive Director & Head of Policy Division - Trade and Industry Cooperation, The Centre of Excellence for CPEC
• Dr Talat Shabbir, Director, China-Pakistan Study Center, Institute of strategic studies Islamabad (ISSI)
• Mr. Malik Shahid Saleem, President, President Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI)
• Mr. Mustafa Hyder Sayed, Executive Director, The Pakistan-China Institute, Islamabad