Indian minister: Sharma vows to double Pak-India trade
Opening of second gate at Wagah-Attari border on the cards.
LAHORE:
Indian Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma arrived in Pakistan on Monday in an effort to take down trade barriers, share economic prosperity and facilitate people-to-people exchange.
Sharma, who was accompanied by Indian CEOs and officials, said the two countries aim to double bilateral trade in the next three years. He was received at the Wagah border by Commerce Minister Makhdoom Amin Fahim, who is scheduled to hold talks with Sharma and address CEOs of Pakistan and India in Karachi and Islamabad.
“India is committed to taking its economic and trade relationship with Pakistan to a new level. I have come with an open mind and to achieve substantial progress in our talks. We are working hard on opening the second gate and an Integrated Customers Post (ICP) at the Wagah-Attari border and hope to finish it by April 30.
“The talks will help us in taking forward the process of establishing peace and trade. We will work towards deepening and diversifying the relationship,” the Indian minister told newsmen.
Without specifying, Sharma said they would talk on all key issues. “It is time for India and Pakistan to draw up a roadmap. We have been trading through third parties and the time has come to engage in direct trade.”
Published in The Express Tribune, February 14th, 2012.
Indian Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma arrived in Pakistan on Monday in an effort to take down trade barriers, share economic prosperity and facilitate people-to-people exchange.
Sharma, who was accompanied by Indian CEOs and officials, said the two countries aim to double bilateral trade in the next three years. He was received at the Wagah border by Commerce Minister Makhdoom Amin Fahim, who is scheduled to hold talks with Sharma and address CEOs of Pakistan and India in Karachi and Islamabad.
“India is committed to taking its economic and trade relationship with Pakistan to a new level. I have come with an open mind and to achieve substantial progress in our talks. We are working hard on opening the second gate and an Integrated Customers Post (ICP) at the Wagah-Attari border and hope to finish it by April 30.
“The talks will help us in taking forward the process of establishing peace and trade. We will work towards deepening and diversifying the relationship,” the Indian minister told newsmen.
Without specifying, Sharma said they would talk on all key issues. “It is time for India and Pakistan to draw up a roadmap. We have been trading through third parties and the time has come to engage in direct trade.”
Published in The Express Tribune, February 14th, 2012.