The country's business community fully supported the one-year visa for India, but demanded a 10-year multiple visa for frequent interactions between the businessmen of the two countries. "Liberal visa regime between Pakistan and India is a good omen but visas for business community should be for a longer time so that businessmen of both countries can meet in person for business purposes which will ultimately lead to growth in bilateral trade," said Iftikhar Ali Malik, Vice-President Saarc Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Replying to a question, Iftikhar Malik said that he accompanied the Parliamentary delegation which recently visited India, wherein he pleaded that business community of both countries should develop one on one relationship to promote bilateral business between the two countries. "Pakistan and India should work for improving economic relations which is the need of the hour," he continued. He also suggested that Saarc member countries should work to change the region on the pattern of European Union (EU) bloc which will definitely pave the way towards prosperity for the people.
Haji Muhammad Sadiq Shirani, the President Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), who attended a reception hosted by Indian High Commission on Friday night in honour of the visiting Indian Minister for External Affairs, SM Krishna, welcomed lenient visa regime between the two countries, saying that Pakistani businessmen will now be allowed to visit 10 cities which is a very good move to bring business community of both countries close to each other. Earlier, businessmen were allowed to visit only one city mentioned in the visa.
"Both governments are taking excellent steps to restore confidence and a major step forward is the lenient visa regime that was finalised between the Foreign Ministers," he continued. Replying to another question, President FPCCI said that opening of trade avenues with India would be more beneficial for Pakistan relative to India as Pakistani businessmen will get access to a market of one billion people. Trade ties between Pakistan and China are also very close, but the beneficiary is China, he added.
"We want that Pakistan should have friendly tries with neighbouring countries. We are happy that bilateral relations between Pakistan and India which were in the cold storage are getting better day by day," Shirani maintained. In reply to a question, he said that response of exhibition in Mumbai organised by FPCCI was very encouraging. FPCCI had also welcomed opening of bank branches in each other's country to facilitate business community.
Vice-President FPCCI, Sheikh Shakil Ahmad Dinghra, who represents Pakistan Pharmaceutical Importers Association, told Business Recorder that regional trade blocs account for over 50 percent of total trade of individual member countries the world over but unfortunately in Saarc region trade is less than five per cent of individual member countries.
Demand for Pakistan's textile products in India is tremendous and Mumbai fair was very successful as compared to Life Style Pakistan exhibition, he added. He dispelled the impression that phasing out of negative list from January 1 next year, will have negative effect on any Pakistani industry. He cited the example of Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with China, which has not affected Pakistani industry. This view is divergent from the one presented in the Standing Committees of the National Assembly and Senate recently observed that Chinese goods have destroyed Pakistani industry.
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