SAFTA considers early completion of TLP by NLDC

ISLAMABAD: Committee of Experts (COE) of SAFTA comprising senior trade officials from all SAARC member countries will deliberate within next two months on early completion of Trade Liberalization Programme (TLP) by Non-Least Developed Countries i.e. Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka by December 2010 instead of earlier cut off date of December 2012, official sources at Ministry of Commerce informed.

This would mean bringing down maximum import tariffs by Non-Least Developed Countries (Non-LDCs) i.e. Pakistan, Sri Lanka and India to 0 percent-5 percent by 2010 instead of 2012, explained the official. Sources informed that Pakistan would have no problems in case TLP is completed ahead of its already agreed schedule, and this proposal would be taken up at COE meeting proposed to be held at Katmandu within next two months.