The Hindu Business Line : `Remove trade barriers between India and Pakistan'

New Delhi April 26 Removal of tariff and non-tariff barriers between India and Pakistan can take bilateral trade to $9 billion in a short time frame, according to Mr Muhammad Nasir Khan, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

A business delegation from Pakistan, led by the Islamabad Chamber, is in the Capital. While interacting with members of the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr Khan said that tariff and non-tariff barriers have contributed to diversion of trade to unorganised channels.

"Removing trade barriers and opening of trade will pose serious challenges for our industry but if we can survive competition with China, Germany and Japan, we can co-exist with India as well," he said.

Underscoring the need for promoting regional trade, Mr Khan said that the two political leaderships should make SAFTA a potent force for the economic uplift of the whole region. Mr Khan observed that the Wagah/ Attari border should be opened for road and rail cargo traffic, which can catalyse the two-way trade.

Mr Khan also urged the Indian Government to do away with the Bureau of Indian Standards' norms for importing essential commodities like wheat or cement from Pakistan.

Earlier during the day, the visiting delegation called on Dr Ashwani Kumar, Minister of State for Industry, and requested for liberalising the visa regime for Pakistani businessmen to visit India.

Two-way trade between India and Pakistan has reached a record figure of $977.03 million (April-October 2006). This comprises India's exports to Pakistan valued at $789.13 million and India's imports from Pakistan valued at $187.90 million.

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