A seminar to promote trade and economy in South Asia was held on Saturday by SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) through regional cooperation was held on Saturday.
‘Creating synergies for regional cooperation in South Asia’ organised in partnership with Fur Die Freiheit called for regional cooperation to boost economic relations.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Privatisation Khurram Dastagir said, “Without having friendly relations among the regional countries, SAARC states can not excel economically, therefore it is important to create synergies for promoting trade and economic growth in the region.” He said that the government is committed to promote trade especially with India. “But there are challenges in this regard such as tariff barriers, non-tariff barriers, poor road and banking network,” he added.
He observed that there is need of executing effective trade agreements including agreements in other areas as well.
The state minister said that an agreement between India and Pakistan on quality control of items is at final stage and will be signed soon. He said we hope that trade facilities in South Asia will create synergies. He also invited the private sector to capitalise on investment opportunities and contribute towards economic growth.
Secretary Commerce Qasim Niaz said that currently there is an increasing trend of regional cooperation because no country can grow without having friendly relations with its neighbours. He highlighted that talks with India are likely to take place in the near future.
Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry President in his remarks said that the real problem among the SAARC countries particularly between India and Pakistan is mistrust. “Without removing mistrust between the two countries, all efforts for promoting bilateral trade would not be fruitful.” He said that India can help Pakistan in producing coal energy by utilising huge resource of Thar Coal.
He further said that the private sector can help remove the mistrust between the two countries.
