India, Pakistan to boost commerce

NEW DELHI – India and Pakistan began discussions yesterday on ways to improve trade and infrastructure as the focus of the archrivals’ latest round of peace talks shifted from military to commercial issues.

A delegation from Pakistan’s commerce ministry arrived in the Indian capital New Delhi on Monday for the two-day talks, part of a composite dialogue process that began last year. India’s Commerce Secretary SN Menon urged liberalisation of visa rules, simplification of shipping procedures and trade in more than 13 commodities via the only open land crossing between the neighbours, the Press Trust of India (PTI) news agency said.Last month, Pakistan scrapped import duties on 13 commodities from India that are scarce in local markets and said it would not impose import quotas.Railway trade has operated for some time between India and Pakistan, but the opening for trade of a road link at the border post of Wagah in the Punjab region has cleared the way for perishable food products.”We can bring prosperity to villages and breathe life into the rural economies on both sides of our border,” Menon said, according to PTI.He said the exchange of technology and skill between the two countries will make available quality goods at comparatively cheaper prices.In his remarks, Pakistan’s acting Commerce Secretary Syed Asif Shah said India and Pakistan will gain from “enhanced bilateral trade and economic cooperation”.”We have to remain mindful of the fact growth in trade can be sustainable in the long run only if it is mutually beneficial for both the trading parties dependant on a level-playing field,” he said.The trade talks followed weekend meetings in New Delhi between foreign ministry officials from the two countries, which have been engaged in a slow-moving peace process since January last year.The meetings yielded measures to reduce military tension and avoid accidental nuclear confrontation.The arrival of the Pakistani commerce ministry team coincided with reports that trade between the South Asian rivals had risen by 76 per cent to touch US$600 million (N$3,9 billion) in 2004-2005, with India enjoying a surplus.Economists and trade bodies however say this is far below potential, which they estimate is at least US$6 billion.-Nampa-ReutersIndia’s Commerce Secretary SN Menon urged liberalisation of visa rules, simplification of shipping procedures and trade in more than 13 commodities via the only open land crossing between the neighbours, the Press Trust of India (PTI) news agency said.Last month, Pakistan scrapped import duties on 13 commodities from India that are scarce in local markets and said it would not impose import quotas.Railway trade has operated for some time between India and Pakistan, but the opening for trade of a road link at the border post of Wagah in the Punjab region has cleared the way for perishable food products.”We can bring prosperity to villages and breathe life into the rural economies on both sides of our border,” Menon said, according to PTI.He said the exchange of technology and skill between the two countries will make available quality goods at comparatively cheaper prices.In his remarks, Pakistan’s acting Commerce Secretary Syed Asif Shah said India and Pakistan will gain from “enhanced bilateral trade and economic cooperation”.”We have to remain mindful of the fact growth in trade can be sustainable in the long run only if it is mutually beneficial for both the trading parties dependant on a level-playing field,” he said.The trade talks followed weekend meetings in New Delhi between foreign ministry officials from the two countries, which have been engaged in a slow-moving peace process since January last year.The meetings yielded measures to reduce military tension and avoid accidental nuclear confrontation.The arrival of the Pakistani commerce ministry team coincided with reports that trade between the South Asian rivals had risen by 76 per cent to touch US$600 million (N$3,9 billion) in 2004-2005, with India enjoying a surplus.Economists and trade bodies however say this is far below potential, which they estimate is at least US$6 billion.-Nampa-Reuters