Pakistan, China Set to Establish Free Trade Zone

China and Pakistan are poised to widen the silk road between them by building a free trade area (FTA). For Pakistanis, it is mainly a “cotton road.” Currently, 70 per cent of Pakistani exports to China are cotton yarn and cotton fabric. However, the country is also keen to promote its other products ranging from mangoes to footballs. During Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz’s visit to Beijing last month, a protocol was signed for the talks on the establishment of an FTA between the two nations, currently with an annual trade volume of around US$2.5 billion…