64 years on: Pakistan, India traders fail to exploit potential

Bombay Chamber chief calls for unrestricted phone services .


Our Correspondent February 13, 2012

KARACHI: Bombay Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Ashok Kumar Barat has said the business community of India and Pakistan should be ashamed of not being able to exploit the trade potential for the last 64 years as envisioned by the founders of the two countries.

Speaking to members of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) at the KCCI head office on Monday, Barat said “the business community of both countries should push their respective governments to immediately start complete phone services,” adding small steps should be taken now while other important measures would be taken later as the two sides stepped forward.

“While we demand our rights from our governments, we should not ignore what important responsibilities we businessmen have on our shoulders to bring India and Pakistan closer,” he added.

He termed Mumbai and Karachi natural partners in trade and commerce, which should come closer to complement each other. Growing relations between the Bombay Chamber and the Karachi Chamber would further ease the problems faced by the business community of both countries, he stressed.

Speaking on the role of governments in building trade ties, Barat said the two sides seemed to be sincerely trying to understand each other’s problems in trade and commerce. “The process is slow, but it is going to bring change soon. The business communities should patiently wait for some time to see things moving fast.”

KCCI President Mian Abrar Ahmed said the visit of Barat would further strengthen relations between the two chambers that represented the financial hubs of India and Pakistan.

“We businessmen must push our governments to create an environment where investors can invest in each other’s country,” Sindh Board of Investment Chairman Zubair Motiwala said on the occasion.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 14th, 2012.

COMMENTS (1)

Persian | 12 years ago | Reply

FYI, Bombay is 'Mumbai' now.

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