Pakistan and India started seventh phase of secretary trade talks in Islamabad on Thursday. Indian delegation headed by SR Rao secretary of trade met with Pakistani delegation headed by Muneer Qureshi, secretary of ministry of commerce and trade. They agreed to promote good trade relationship between both countries.
Both the countries agreed to start the air service between Islamabad and New Delhi.
Muneer Qureshi said that conditions have been changed between both the countries. “Both countries have made progress to solve trade related and other issues. During two days talks we will discuss how to end tariff and non-tariff trade barriers, how to expand trade related infrastructure and how to overcome hurdles to start trade relations”, he said we would also discuss the pathway to allow banks of two countries to allow open branches in both countries.
Head of Indian delegation SR Rao said on the occasion that according to WTO and World Bank analysis in near future regional trade especially in South Asia would progress.”Asia makes 50 percent of total population of the world. We have been striving hard to promote trade between both countries”, he said both India and Pakistan were emerging economies and this is our aim to bring the traders of both countries closer.
Detailed discussed three agreements including agreement of cooperation and mutual assistance in customs matter, bilateral cooperation agreement between Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority of Science and Technology and Butreau of Indian Standards ministry of Custom Affiar, Food and Public Distribution and Agreement on Redress of trade grievances, would be signed today(Friday).
