The EU and Vietnam signed a free trade deal that removes nearly all tariffs between Europe and one of the world’s last communist states. The agreement, which follows a similar one with Singapore last year, was a milestone in EU ties with the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which includes Vietnam and Singapore. EU will remove more than 99 per cent of tariffs on goods traded between the two economies over a period of up to seven years.

In the US-Pakistan Clean Energy Business Opportunities Conference, the new US Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, has assured Islamabad that the United States intends to promote new private sector investment in the country’s energy sector. While addressing in Conference, he said, “Under this partnership, we intend to promote new private sector investments in Pakistan’s clean energy generation, transmission, and distribution”.

European Union foreign minister are set to revive turkey’s efforts to join the bloc by agreeing to open talks on the EU’s financial rules, as part of a bigger deal to help Europe solve its migration crisis. Turkey’s promise to help stem the flow of migrants to Europe in return for cash, visas and renewed talks on joining the European Union, to which Ankara formally started its membership talks a year ago. The decision to open the chapter on economic and monetary policy comes at a time of concern from investors over whether the programme of Turkey’s new government will curtail central bank independence.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is planning to arrange co-financing for Rs29 billion Faisalabad-Khanewal Motorway (M-4) project by chipping in newly established Beijing-based Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and Islamic financing sources. This is expected to be AIIB’s first financing to any development project when it starts operations as a gesture of goodwill to Pak-China friendly relations and support to China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Project.

European leaders have signed a three-year, €315 billion ($343 billion) investment program aimed at kick-starting the bloc’s economic growth. The investment plan aims at mobilizing more private and public investment and at facilitating job growth and competitiveness by setting up a European Fund for Strategic Investments in the European Investment Bank to mobilize the €315 billion in new investments between 2015 and 2017.

Pakistan has ratified WTO’s Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) which contains provisions for expediting the movement, release and clearance of goods, including goods in transit. After ratification, Pakistan has become the 51st World Trade Organization member, first from South Asia, to accede to the treaty. Pakistan also ratified the UN Convention on the International Transport of Goods, entailing no payment of customs and taxes on goods in transit with neighboring countries. 

Italy has decided to reopen its trade commission in Pakistan. The commission is scheduled to start work in early January 2016. Agriculture machinery, agro-processing, livestock and dairy, processed food industry, transport, furniture making, marble industry, textile, leather and energy sectors as areas of interest for prospective Italian investors. The Pakistan-Italy bilateral trade volume is currently around $1.5 billion.

 “It's Time for Industrial Infrastructure Design to Grow Up”. 

Chinese companies have agreed to bring eco-friendly Industrial infrastructure technology from China through joint ventures with Pakistani entrepreneurs to maintain the manufacturing flow in Pakistan. 

Traditional industrial infrastructure design cannot deliver what it takes to create hi tech innovative products. Several industries with poor and low quality plumbing and gutter work often suffer from mold growth, leaking roof or deterioration of the structure on the long term that costs a lot to the manufacturing process of the final product. Utilization of quality industrial infrastructure items would add to the competitive advantage. It would save time, money and cost of production.

Industrial Infrastructure includes pipes, nuts, bolts, Machinery spare parts, Water pumps, Water filter, racks and railings, Antennae and Receivers, UPS & Batteries etc. These are all time industrial needs and difference lies in quality and efficiency of items used in different industrial setups. 

These are small requirements of every industrial setup but have great impact on productivity and output. All industrial efficiency relies on the effectiveness of these small industrial accessories. 

It is notable that the sample products would be displayed soon in the “Industrial Infrastructure Design Uplift Exhibition” to be organized by Pak-China Joint chamber of commerce and industry in near future.