20000215

Missions abroad

to have trade

expert diplomats

RECORDER REPORT

KARACHI: The government has decided to replace most of the staff at diplomatic missions abroad with business experts except in six countries, it was learnt.

Sources said that the government has decided to keep the United States, Russia, China, Japan, United Kingdom and India on its priority list to develop political relations rather than trade ties. Pakistan already has good trade relations with the above countries.

In the countries other than these six countries, most of the diplomats will be replaced by trading and marketing experts.

The decision has been taken in the light of the government's strategy to boost exports and reduce cost of running diplomatic missions.

Sources said that the governments has planned to correct its balance of payments problems. It has been assessed that Pakistan imports goods from many countries while its exports are limited to a few markets, mostly European and American markets.

"We have been assured that the government has completed its homework for the implementation of the policy," said a trader in Karachi.

The exporters and traders have been demanding to place a trade expert in all diplomatic missions.