Federal Secretary of Commerce, Zafar Mahmood will hold a meeting with members of Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) on Thursday to discuss the matter regarding Negative List of items for trade with India. During the 5th round of the secretary commerce level meeting between the two countries held on April 27-28 this year, Pakistan has agreed to move from a "Positive List" to a "Negative List" trade regime with India.
At present, the neighbouring countries maintain a positive list of 1,945 items that are allowed for import from India. The ministry of commerce of Pakistan has already sent a letter to all the chambers of commerce and industry and trade bodies, requesting their recommendations for the items to be included in the negative list.
The ministry has demanded suggestions, in-house detailed analysis of the impacts on domestic industry, production, interests of the industry, exports, imports and consumers and other factors. The trade bodies and chambers were asked to give suggestions about whether the concerned items should be included in the list or excluded, making it free for imports.