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Chinese business team coming today

KARACHI: A 17-member high-powered Chinese delegation is arriving here on Friday to attend the first meeting of Pakistan-China Joint Business Council being organised by the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) here.

During its stay in Pakistan the delegation will also hold meetings in Islamabad.

Headed by Ma Yue, Vice-Chairman of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), the delegation will consist of senior executives of China's large and influential state-owned business organisations dealing mainly in engineering technology, construction, aviation, power and energy, petroleum refining and automobiles.

The council was established following the signing of Cooperation Agreement in Beijing in July 1999 between FPCCI and CCPIT.

The joint session in Karachi will review and discuss issues relating to bilateral trade, enhancement of economic cooperation between Pakistan and China and promotion of Chinese investment in Pakistan.

It would also consider a proposal for establishing a Pakistan-China Joint Arbitration Committee to resolve commercial disputes.

The delegation will hold one-to-one business meetings with the Pakistani companies on April 3 at the Federation House.

During its stay in Islamabad, the delegation will call on the Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz, Secretary Commerce Mirza Qamar Baig, Foreign Secretary Inamul Huq and Acting Secretary Board of Investment Ahmed Shamsul Huda.

The delegation will also hold meetings at Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Its schedule also include meetings with Vice-Chairman, Export Promotion Bureau, besides office-bearers of Karachi Chamber of Commerce and industry.

The delegation will fly back home on April 5.ÑAPP