Pak-India trade: businessmen told to persuade governments for expanding positive lists

Indian Deputy High Commissioner, Manpreet Vohra has advised business community of Pakistan and India to lobby with their respective government to either expand positive list of goods or do away with it to boost bilateral trade.
Speaking at a meeting of Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) on Saturday, he said that under positive list of goods only 1174 items were traded between India and Pakistan whereas there were thousand of items that could be traded between the two countries. He said that in the changing business environment market forces should be allowed to decide from where they want to import goods.
He said that due to restrictions on imports of goods both India and Pakistan paying high prices of several items imported from other countries. Giving example of textile machinery, he said that an Indian textile machinery delegation visited Pakistan recently and visited a textile unit in Faisalabad, where they fond Indian made textile machinery in operation.
The machine was imported from Germany as German machinery at a cost of $125 thousands. If the same is imported directly from India it may cost less then $50 thousands, he added. He said that Pakistani importer have sustained this high cost burden due to policy approach. Similar is the case with Indian importers, he added. Regarding non traffic barriers, he clarify that Indian creating no hurdles in trade with Pakistan.
Giving example of cement, Manpreet Vohra said cement in Indian comes under public safety law and required certifying factory. Under this law cement bags are not tested only factories are certified. This law apples on import of cement from anywhere in the world. The Deputy High Commissioner said that now five to six cement factories had been certified and import of cement from Pakistan was in progress.
Replying to question, he said that negotiations between India and Pakistan on new visa policy was underway and hoped that news visa policy would be announced soon which would be flexible. Replying another question, he said that India and Pakistan have agreed to open bank branches in each other countries. He clarified that owing to restrictions on investment joint ventures with Pakistani companies was impossible.
Referring to opening of Indian consulate in Karachi, he said that India was ready to open its consulate when Pakistan would opens its consulate in Mumbai. Pakistan facing some problem in getting proper location for its consulate in Mumbai, he added. President KCCI, Shamin Ahmed Shamsi also spoke on the occasion.