The recent political development between India and Pakistan has encouraged businesses leaders to evolve a strategy for further deepening of economic cooperation between the two countries to the extent of their true potential.
Renowned business leaders from Pakistan, Tariq Sayeed, Vice President CACCI, Former & Founder President SAARC CCI & Former President FPCCI, S. M. Muneer, President India-Pakistan CCI & Former President FPCCI Iftikhar Ali Malik, Vice President SAARC CCI & Former President FPCCI, recently met R.V. Kinoria the President and Dr Rajiv Kumar, Secretary General FICCI to exchange views and to discuss possible roadmap to promote economic cooperation.
Zubair Ahmed Malik, Zubair F. Tufail, former vice presidents of FPCCI and Malik Suhail Hussain were also present during the meeting, says a press release issued here on Thursday. S. M. Muneer stated that no meeting of India-Pakistan Chamber of Commerce & Industry (IPCCI) has taken place during last three years.
In view of the importance of IPCCI, both the sides expressed strong determination for reactivation of IPCCI, through restructuring and induction of active members, promotion of B2B meetings and frequent exchange of trade delegations on reciprocal basis. They regarded recent visit of Indian Commerce Minister to Pakistan as a milestone achievement and emphasised for seising the opportunity to explore the untapped economic potential.
Tariq Sayeed and Iftikhar Ali Malik impressed upon the leadership of FICCI to play its role towards the restoration of SAARC Visa Exemption Stickers scheme on previous terms ie one year multiple entry Visa instead of the newly introduced policy, which was a serious obstacle in promotion of business in South Asia.
They demanded for a flexible and pro- business visa regime in South Asia, while asserting the need for withdrawal of city restrictions and improving the immigration process at ports of entry and exit. In respect of SAARC CCI, they requested the FICCI to organise executive committee meetings in cities like Bangalore, Kolkata, Chennai and such commercial hubs other than Delhi and Mumbai. The Secretary General FICCI Dr Rajiv Kumar assured that his organisation will take immediate appropriate action to tackle the SAARC visa issue and bilateral visas with the relevant authorities in India.