20000207

Pak-Iraq JMC meeting likely in Feb

ISLAMABAD: The Joint Ministerial Committee (JMC) of Pakistan and Iraq is expected to meet this month during which a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will be signed to promote bilateral economic and trade ties, official sources said here on Sunday.

It is hoped that Minister for Commerce and Industries, Abdul Razak Dawood will visit Iraq to attend the JMC, likely in third week of February, and initial the MoU.

During the visit of the Ministry of Industries and Production delegation in August 1995, the Iraqi team had shown interests to import plant and machinery, spares from Pakistan.

The opportunity was availed by the representatives of the HMC to assess the requirements of Iraqi industry for an effective participation of Pakistani industry in the rehabilitat(tm)n of their industrial base.

An Iraq delegation, comprising the officials of Ministry of Industry and Minerals visited Pakistan, during the first week of December 1999, to study the capability and capacity of Pakistani industry.

During their visit, the delegation visited engineering industries, besides fertilisers and chemical plants, including HMC, Heavy Electrical Complex, Pakistan Engineering Co. (Peco), Pakistan Steel, Karachi Shipyard and Hazara Phosphate Plant.

The delegation was apprised about the capabilities of these companies and the technical assistance that can be extended to Iraq for rehabilitation of their industries.

During this visit Iraqi side identified the areas of priority which include revamping of cement plants, supply of equipment and spares for fertiliser plants, irrigation pumps and equipment for power generation and distribution, such as power transformer and electricity transmission towers etc.

It was also decided that the HMC will act as lead company, and will offer a complete package of machinery and service incorporating offers of other related public and private engineering industry in Pakistan.

The sector-wise requirement of Iraq industries include revamping of cement plants, equipment for fertilizer plant, export of irrigation pumps, power generation and distribution and provision of software. APP