Trade: Pakistan, India agree to take it a step ahead

NEW DELHI:

Pakistan and India have agreed on Saturday to work out a road map to promote trade and economic relations for the benefit of the two business communities and end-consumers.

Commerce Minister Makhdoom Amin Fahim is in New Delhi on the invitation of his Indian counterpart Anand Sharma, making this the third bilateral meeting between the two within a time span of less than seven months.

There has been a substantial increase in the list of commodities permitted to be imported from India, said a joint statement.  Both sides expressed satisfaction at the joint and coordinated efforts that have been made for making the new gates at the Attari Integrated Check Post functional for trade.

Both sides agreed to take all further action to encourage greater trade through the newly inaugurated Integrated Check Post (ICP). “It was agreed upon that Pakistan will take necessary steps to remove extant restrictions on items permitted to be imported through the land route.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 15^th, 2012.