Line of control: Poor infrastructure hindering trade

Trade across LoC started between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad in 2008, but it couldn’t achieve the desired results.


Ppi September 09, 2011

SRINAGAR: The non-availability of banking facilities, lack of infrastructure and the continuation of the barter system have created problems for businessmen involved in trade across the Line of Control (LoC). According to Kashmir Media Service, the trade across LoC started between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad in 2008, but it couldn’t achieve the desired results because of the absence of banking, communications and other facilities. Traders in Srinagar believe that despite promises made by the Indian government and its administration in the occupied territory to facilitate trade activities across LoC, even important facilities like banking and communications are still missing. “There is no guarantee that you’ll recover your money if you don’t know your trading partner across LoC. Still, we’re doing business to keep the confidence-building measure in place,” one trader said. He said that the barter system was still in force and it was difficult for traders to assign exact values to the traded goods.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 10th,  2011.

COMMENTS

Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ