Indo-Pak: Trade can be used as tool for peace
Dr Husain wants business community to step up.
Trade volume could multiply five to ten times, creating new opportunities of employment and services. ILLUSTRATION: JAMAL KHURSHID.
KARACHI:
Former State Bank of Pakistan governor and incumbent IBA Director Dr Ishrat Husain has called upon the business community to take the lead in spreading a message of peace and defuse tension between Pakistan and India.
Citing the example of France and Germany, that were at crossroads since World War I, the two countries established better relations, eventually bringing prosperity through economic union.
Husain, speaking as the key note speaker on the topic of “Business for Peace” at the Annual General Meeting of the Global Compact Network Pakistan at IBA, said economic cooperation could be raised without compromising on border disputes.
“Go for economic cooperation and create constituencies where business can defend peace on both sides of the border,” said Husain.
He said studies of bilateral trade between conflict-ridden countries such as China and Taiwan, China and India indicate that India and Pakistan can benefit in trade.
Trade volume could multiply five to ten times, creating new opportunities of employment and services.
“Afghanistan’s economy can also benefit, while economic activity could be increased on borders between Balochistan and Iran,” said Husain.
“By creating mutually beneficial interests, conditions can be created for sustainable peace.” Husain also presented “Living the Global Compact Business Excellence Awards 2013-14” to winning companies declared UNGC champions through an evaluation by international and national juries.
The winners included Tameer Bank, Attock Refinery, PARCO, Engro, Indus Motors, Fauji Fertilizer, Hinopak Motors, PPL, Thal Engineering and Hi-tech lubricants.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 9th, 2015.
Former State Bank of Pakistan governor and incumbent IBA Director Dr Ishrat Husain has called upon the business community to take the lead in spreading a message of peace and defuse tension between Pakistan and India.
Citing the example of France and Germany, that were at crossroads since World War I, the two countries established better relations, eventually bringing prosperity through economic union.
Husain, speaking as the key note speaker on the topic of “Business for Peace” at the Annual General Meeting of the Global Compact Network Pakistan at IBA, said economic cooperation could be raised without compromising on border disputes.
“Go for economic cooperation and create constituencies where business can defend peace on both sides of the border,” said Husain.
He said studies of bilateral trade between conflict-ridden countries such as China and Taiwan, China and India indicate that India and Pakistan can benefit in trade.
Trade volume could multiply five to ten times, creating new opportunities of employment and services.
“Afghanistan’s economy can also benefit, while economic activity could be increased on borders between Balochistan and Iran,” said Husain.
“By creating mutually beneficial interests, conditions can be created for sustainable peace.” Husain also presented “Living the Global Compact Business Excellence Awards 2013-14” to winning companies declared UNGC champions through an evaluation by international and national juries.
The winners included Tameer Bank, Attock Refinery, PARCO, Engro, Indus Motors, Fauji Fertilizer, Hinopak Motors, PPL, Thal Engineering and Hi-tech lubricants.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 9th, 2015.