Pakistan will import about 200,000 tonnes of refined sugar in coming weeks and it's likely some of this will come from India if the two countries can resolve a long-running trade row, a trader said on Sunday. "On imports of sugar from India, we expect the government to sort out the issue in the next two weeks," Muhammad Najib Balagamwalla, chief executive of the Seatrade Group, told Reuters by telephone.
"The chances of Indian sugar coming are close to 100 percent."
An initial tender for 50,000-100,000 tonnes of sugar was likely to be floated in the next 10-12 days, Balagamwalla said.
"The government might even sort out the issue before the first tender is floated," he said, adding there were ongoing meetings between trade and government officials about imports from India.
"Indian sugar offers are being examined and buyers and sellers are sniffing around. Deals will be signed the moment the government gives the green signal."
A official said on Saturday the government had removed all taxes on imported wheat by private traders in an effort to make up supplies and check soaring prices after bad weather trimmed this year's crop.
The official said traders could import wheat from anywhere, including India, as long as it met quarantine standards.