The Meeting reviewed progress in the implementation of the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA), which was signed on July 30th, 2007 and which became operational on November 30th, 2007.

Both the Mauritian and the Pakistani sides expressed satisfaction that the PTA has started generating positive synergy within the business community of the two countries.

They agreed to further broaden the benefits of the PTA by organising trade shows and market surveys. Both countries agreed to give full prominence to the PTA during the Pakistan Expo scheduled to take place in Karachi in October 2008.

During the Meeting, the JWG reiterated the need for the PTA to culminate in a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) whereby substantially all products would be traded on duty-free basis.

The FTA will go beyond trade in goods and encompass trade in services and trade-related investment.

Issues pertaining to visa facilities for the business community and direct air links for the expansion of bilateral trade and investment were also discussed during the Meeting.

Talks additionally centered on the framework and modalities for bilateral cooperation in the fields of science and technology, fisheries and software development.

The 8th JWG will be held in Mauritius in July/August 2008.