Greater trade is key to normalisation of bilateral relations: Gautam Bambawale

Lahore: High Commissioner of India to Pakistan Gautam Bambawale said road to normalisation of bilateral relations is in the interest of Pakistan and India while the key to it lies through greater trade, business and commerce.

He said that the list of commodities which can be traded and exchanged between Pakistan and through Wagah Border should be increased to reduce cost of doing business for the entrepreneurs of both countries.

Gautam Bambawale said this while talking to Abdul Rauf Alam, President FPCCI. Chairman United Business Group Iftikhar Ali Malik, CEO TDAP SM Muneer, VP FPCCI Zafar Bakhtawari, Zubair Tufail, Khalid Javaid, Zubair Ahmed Malik, Tariq Sadiq, Noor Ahmed Khan, Shakil Dhingri and others were also present.

Bambawale said that there should be more trade shows and exhibitions in each other’s country. In this regard, HC welcomed the holding of “Alishan Pakistan 2016” exhibition at New Delhi in September 2016 and assured all out cooperation by Indian authorities.

He said that both countries should make it easier for businesspersons to visit the other country. Visa regulations should be liberalized which will result in enhanced trade and will bring people of two countries closer.

Trade between India and China was just US $1 billion in 2000 but has risen to US $75 billion in 2015 despite differences, adding that we want to expand trade with Pakistan in the same manner and Pakistan should also think on these lines.

Speaking at the occasion, President of The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Abdul Rauf Alam said that trade between Saarc nations is limited and very costly due to tariff and non-tariff barriers.

He said that governments and business community of Pakistan and India should strive to bring the two nations closer while some sustainable steps are required for building trust which is imperative for the development of both nations. He said that business is the best tool to reduce tensions and improve trust which will have an impact on standard of living of tens of millions of people in short span.

CEO TDAP asked the Indian High Commissioner to ease issuance of visa to bolster trade while Khalid Javaid demanded import of plant and machinery through Wagah border as imports through Calcutta add to the cost of doing business.

Iftikhar Ali Malik said that Saacr Chamber Building in Islamabad would be inaugurated by Saarc leaders during the Saarc Summit scheduled on November 10 and 11.

Zafar Bakhtawari demanded waiver of condition of police reporting in issuance of visa.