LAHORE: Indian Commerce Minister Anand Sharma on Monday said it was time to end bilateral trade via a third country, as opening of trade between the two countries via land route through Wahgha Border would definitely benefit Pakistan's economy.
He was speaking to media persons soon after his arrival at the Wahgha Border while leading a 120-member delegation of Indian business tycoons also accompanied with Indian Secretary of Commerce. Senior Federal Minister for Commerce Makhdoom Amin Fahim accompanied by senior officials of Pakistan Commerce Ministry and prominent businessmen welcomed the Indian delegation.
A joint briefing was also arranged on this occasion which was addressed by the Commerce Ministers of both the countries.
Responding to a question about bilateral trade in favour of India despite giving MFN status to Pakistan in 1996, Anand Sharma said it was fact that India was benefited in term of balance of trade because goods reached that country where those were required.
To a question regarding Kashmir issue and water dispute, the Indian Commerce Minister said that strengthening bilateral trade would pave the way for resolution of disputes between the two countries. "Both the countries are neighbours with deep rooted relations. In past, Pakistan and India had to face different troubles but now they have decided to resolve disputes through peaceful dialogues", he said.
He also appreciated Pakistan government for taking a number of steps in this regard.
Anand Sharma said India helped Pakistan in the recent flood by supporting its stance of market access to Pakistani products, particularly textile goods to European Union. "We supported Pakistan's demand in Geneva and WTO for market access" he added. He also said that roadmap had been evolved by the two countries for improving bilateral trade, adding that Indian government appreciated Pakistan for taking a number of confidence building measures.
The Indian Commerce Minister further said that his visit to Pakistan was significant, as it was first ever in the history of economic relations between the two countries. Prime Ministers of both the countries were keen and supportive to improve bilateral ties between Pakistan and India, he added.
He said Pakistan Commerce Minister had visited India with a high profile delegation of business community in which fruitful discussion was held between the stakeholders of the two countries.
He opined that improvement in bilateral trade would leave positive impact on the economy of both the countries and ultimately would benefit the people of India and Pakistan.
Sharma, however, avoided responding a question regarding the Non Tariff Barriers (NTBs) imposed by India on Pakistani goods, and said that both the countries were discussing every issue. "Both the countries have already decided to resolve bilateral issues through talks while his arrival in Pakistan is a follow-up of the Pakistani Federal Minister for Commerce's visits of India," he added.
"I brought a message of peace and friendship for Pakistan" he maintained.
Speaking on the occasion, Makhdoom Amin Fahim said the process of improving bilateral trade was initiated during his visit to India while the visit of Indian Commerce Minister would expedite this process. "It is great opportunity for the two countries to resolve trade related issues through talks."
He said Pakistan had been working on the negative list for the importable items from India. "We are discussing item to item with our stakeholders to prepare the list which would be announced as soon as it is finalised," he added.
Regarding the MFN status to India, he said though, the federal cabinet had already given formal approval, yet it was still under process.
Amin Fahim, while responding to a question regarding issuance of visas to the business community, said that both the countries had already decided in principle to grant multiple visas for three years. On the same issue, Anand Sharma added that a formal agreement in this regard would be signed soon.
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