Kashmir traders press for free economic zone

Ask Pakistan, India to encourage trade between both sides of LoC.

MIRPUR: Traders of Jammu and Kashmir have pressed the governments of Pakistan and India to take steps for encouraging and streamlining trade between the two Kashmirs, which has been described as the only confidence-building measure taken by the two governments for the people of the valley.

They have set their sights on achieving the ambitious goal of a Free Economic Zone and an International Financial Centre for the entire state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Talking to The Express Tribune from Srinagar by phone, Jammu & Kashmir Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Dr Mubeen Shah called for making trade between both sides of the Line of Control vibrant and purposeful in a bid to strengthen commercial ties in the larger interest of the people.

“The JKJCCI, the sole joint forum of the business community of Jammu and Kashmir, has taken up different issues with governments of Pakistan and India for a smooth conduct of trade across the LoC,” he said. “This is the only confidence-building measure agreed to by both countries for the benefit of people on both sides of the LoC in general and Kashmiri entrepreneurs in particular.”

He asked Pakistan and India to go a step further as none of the chamber’s critical demands for ensuring vibrant commercial atmosphere appeared to have been met.

Though the decision for expansion of trade was welcome, a lot needed to be done to deepen commercial ties so that the relationship between the two countries and the people of Jammu and Kashmir got a total makeover, he suggested.

Other issues taken up with India and Pakistan governments include restrictions on travel and meetings between traders from both sides, ban on many agreed trade items by the two countries, preparing a negative trade list, allowing transit trade access, facilitating communications, lack of banking facilities and many others.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 11^th, 2013.

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