Pakistan and Belarus are close to sign an agreement on industrial, scientific and technical cooperation as federal cabinet has accorded ex-post facto approval to start negotiation and sign the agreement, it was learnt reliably.
Well-informed sources informed Pakistan Today that Pakistan and Belarus will sign an agreement for industrial, scientific and technical cooperation soon. And, per agreement, the Government of Pakistan will exempt goods to be imported under grant in aid from value added tax.
Copies of official documents available with Pakistan Today, disclosed that the cabinet meeting held here on September 7, 2017 has considered the summary dated August31, 2017 submitted by Industries and Production Division for ex-post facto approval of the cabinet to start negotiations and approval for the signing of agreement on industrial, scientific and technical cooperation between Belarus and Pakistan.
The cabinet was apprised that the draft agreement aimed to provide favourable conditions for the development and fulfillment of joint programmes, development and improvement of mutually beneficial production ties on the basis of cooperation between the two countries.
The cabinet was also apprised that commerce, science and technology, economic affairs divisions had endorsed the contents of the draft agreement, while Foreign Affairs Division had endorsed it from political point of view. FBR had objected to Article-5 of the proposed agreement and suggested that it should be signed in accordance with the objection raised by FBR. Due to the observations of FBR, the draft agreement was forwarded to the ECC of the cabinet for the exemption of value added tax and the ECC accorded its approval in its meeting held on July 18, 2017. The agreement had been duly vetted by law and Justice Division.
In terms of rule 16 (1)(h) of the Rules of Business, 1973, ex-post facto approval of the cabinet was solicited to start negotiations and approval for the signing of agreement on industrial, scientific and technical cooperation between Belarus and Pakistan.
In another development, the federal cabinet also considered the summary dated August 29, 2017 submitted by Aviation Division for ratification of the Air Service Agreement between the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and Republic of Belarus, and accorded its approval.
A cabinet meeting was held in the cabinet room, Prime Minister’s Office on September 7, 2017 under Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi. The cabinet was apprised that it on September 30, 2016 considered and approved the summary dated September 27, 2016 submitted by Aviation Division for ex-post facto approval for initiation of negotiations and approval of signing of the ASA between Pakistan and Belarus. The Air Service Agreement was signed on October 5, 2016. Foreign Affairs Division had requested to obtain approval of the cabinet for ratification. In terms of rule 16(1)(h) of the Rules of Business, 1973, approval of the cabinet was solicited for ratification of the air service agreement between Pakistan and Belarus.