SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry, an apex body of chambers in the region, yesterday demanded the revival of facility of visa on arrival in India to boost socio economic prosperity in the south asian countries which possess 24 per cent of global natural resources.
Tracing the history while commenting on the suspension of visa on arrival to Pakistanis by the Indian government, SAARC CCI Vice President Pak chapter and veteran trade leader Iftikhar Ali Malik said that for promotion of economic co-operation in South Asia, free movement of businessperson in the region is crucial and India-Pakistan agreement on flexible visa policy will allow multiple-entry on reciprocal basis.
He said that India and Pakistan two most powerful members of the SAARC region must come to enter a suitable trade regime. He said we all have seen that times have changed the concept and the economic prosperity and member countries have taken the lead which was much needed so that we all could take full benefits of the regional power to eliminate the poverty and bring self reliance and prosperity in the region like other global blocs of the world.
He said that every SAARC country had its unique characteristics as India is the 4th largest economy, Pakistan was hub of textiles, Bangladesh was centre of garments industry Nepal,Maldives and Sri Lanka were emerging destination of tourists from all over the world.
He said that SAARC Charter demands firm resolve to work towards making it more meaningful for our people, sincere efforts to end political confrontation and act for socio economic prosperity work in unison to safeguard rich heritage and also to rise to face future challenges.
Iftikhar Ali Malik said that it was unfortunate that the world development indicators present bleak picture of the region on global economic fronts despite having enormous potential, the contribution of SAARC countries in global GDP was less than 2 % and its share in export is only 1.5 % which does not reflect our potential.
