Pakistani and Indian businesswomen set up ventures

Indian and Pakistani businesswomen on Thursday discussed expanding trade ties between the two countries.
Several businesses run by Indian and Pakistani women have set up joint ventures, encouraged by improving relations between their governments, said Begum Salma Ahmed, who is leading a 15-member delegation from Pakistan Women's Chambers of Commerce and Industry.
"India and Pakistan can really turn South Asia into an economic engine," she said.
"If we women entrepreneurs of both countries join hands, our bilateral trade could touch new heights," said Rumjhum Chatterjee, an Indian businesswoman and a member of the Confederation of Indian Industry.
Direct trade between India and Pakistan totalled $262.35 million last year --half of India's trade with Nepal.
The two countries can achieve a 10-fold increase in trade in about a year if relations are normalised, the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industries says.