Cross border ties: KCCI backs visa policy reform for better trade

Two Pakistani exhibitions to be organised in India next year.

KARACHI:

Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) Vice President Muhammad Idrees said that the Indian government needs to revise its visa policy which restricts Pakistani visitors to use the same point of entry and exit for arrival and departure from India.

He said that the change of policy would pave ways for swift trade between the two countries.

“Pakistani businessmen should be given the freedom to choose the mode of travel along with entry and exit points at their own will,” said Idrees, while exchanging views with a 57-member Indian delegation for the Federation of Indian Export Organisation (FIEO) during their visit to the Karachi Chamber yesterday.

The Indian delegation led by FIEO Managing Committee Member Abdul Azeez Hajee is in Karachi for the India Expo -- a single country exhibition showcasing Indian products and services at the Karachi Expo Center.

“Indian customs system should be completely digitalised in order to ensure timely transit of various export consignments particularly the perishable items,” said Idrees, while adding that the customs require a comprehensive list of documents and the clearance procedure is largely done manually, thus resulting in increased transportation cost along with delaying export consignments.

“A currency swap agreement should be signed between both countries to facilitate trade,” added Idrees.

Commenting on the visit of Indian delegation to KCCI, he said this will not only boost economic ties between the two countries but will also create new horizons and opportunities for further trade and investments in future.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 15^th, 2013.

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