NTBs are under discussion: Indian HC

Government of India is discussing issues related to trade with Pakistan especially the list of Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs) presented by Pakistan. This was said by Indian High Commissioner Sharat Sabharwal addressing the members of Karachi Chamber Of Commerce & Industry (KCCI), during a meeting here on Saturday at KCCI. He informed that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s vision is to transform South Asia with the cooperation of all neighbouring countries of India, including Pakistan, the region moves from poverty to prosperity and from ignorance to a knowledgeable society.
He said Indo-Pak Commerce Ministers in their recent talks agreed to double bilateral trade from the current level of $2.7 billion to $6 billion as the first step and mandated to further strengthen cooperation for a high ambition of preferential trade relations under the framework of SAFTA. Talking about the NTBS he said that Government of Pakistan has given the Non-Tariff Barriers list which is under discussion. Some perceived that Non-Tariff Barriers are regarding quality control and packing issues which are uniform for all countries, he said.
Deliberations are underway to improve infrastructure of land routes and open trade from the Monabao-Khokrapar border. Pakistan and India have a bilateral visa regime based on reciprocity and the Indian interior ministry is working on visa liberalisation, he said.
In his welcome address, he stated, “We at KCCI, firmly believe that both countries will have to demonstrate greater political will to foster relations. It is the need of the hour that both governments, besides opening new land routes, should positively consider connecting Mumbai with Karachi through air and sea links. He said, “We at KCCI observe the present moves to forge closer commercial ties as the biggest push ever for trade liberalisation between India and Pakistan. The issue of granting MFN to India needs to be realised as an economic obligation instead of political framework. India should come forward with an open mind, to promote bilateral investment to further strengthen the economic relations.
“India should oblige the commitment to support Pakistan in WTO to accomplish GSP Plus in European Union while Pakistan offers MFN to India.” President KCCI said Karachi and Mumbai, the third and the second largest cities of the world respectively, share remarkable similarities. Foreign trade handled by Karachi and Mumbai is estimated at around 90 and 40 per cent of their national volume, respectively. Both cities have huge, vibrant and informal sectors that some estimates put at about the size of the formal one. KCCI & the Bombay chamber have already kicked off the joint activities like issuing visa recommendation letters and exchange trade information to facilitate their members and to bridge together the business community of the two countries. An Indian business delegation, led by the president of the Bombay chamber, is also expected in the next month. We have also planned to organise an Indian Pavilion in the KCCI’s 9th My-Karachi, Oasis of Harmony exhibition scheduled in July 2012, he added.
Earlier, Chairman Businessmen Group Siraj Kassam Teli appreciated the present moves by Indo-Pak Governments for strengthening commercial and economic ties. He said that the Business & Industrial Communities on both sides have high expectations and willingness to improve trade. He was of the view that such similar hypes between two governments were made in the past which were affected by some elements. For recent developments, we urged both governments to bring productive results and also focus on political and other issues to resolve amicably. He demanded that while defining parameters and before taking decisions, the enlightened business community leaders of both countries must be consulted to avoid any adverse decisions with respect to trade. He said that the Bombay-Karachi Joint Chamber of Commerce & Industry will act as the driving force to strengthen the trade ties. He was of the view that the Business Community of Pakistan would avail more benefits from huge Indian market as compared to its counterpart.
Commercial and Economic Counsellor Arvind Saxcna, First Secretary (Consular & Visa) Acquino Vimal, High Commission of India in Islamabad, Ex-Presidents Anjum Nisar, Majyd Aziz, Senior Vice President KCCI Younus Muhammad Bashir, Vice President Zia Ahmed Khan and Managing Committee Members also participated in the meeting.