Press Information Bureau

Government of India

Ministry of Commerce & Industry

29-November-2012 17:02 IST

Expressing satisfaction over the trade normalisation between India and Pakistan, Union Minister for Commerce, Industry and Textiles Shri Anand Sharma said that both countries need to continue moving forward towards a non-discriminatory trade regime. “Pakistan government has taken some steps to move towards full normalisation of trade relations with India by making the transition from a ‘Positive list’ to a ‘Negative list’ for imports from India. This process must be taken to its logical end by phasing out the negative list and eventually according MFN status to India,” said Shri Sharma in a meeting with the members of the Pakistan Business Council headed by Mr. Ali S Habib. The Minister further added that whatever perceptions that are coming in the way of moving towards further improvement should be addressed by more information and better understanding of the benefits of the normalisation.

The members of the delegation briefed the Minister regarding the issues being faced by them in their business transactions with India. On demand for more bank branches, the Minister said: “Let both the countries quickly establish the first two branches and we may also look at the possibility of expanding and bringing in some of our private sector banks. We are open to that.”

The Minister reiterated the decision taken during the meeting between the Commerce Ministers of both the countries in New Delhi on April 13, 2012 to constitute a Joint Business Council. He further added that India has already conveyed its list of prominent businessmen to Pakistan side.

The Indian side has proposed Shri Sunil Munjal as Co-Chair.

On the issue of more trade routes, the Minister informed that a modern Integrated Check Post (ICP) has been set up by India at India-Pakistan border at Attari, Amritsar for trade facilitation. The ICP was operationalised on April 13, 2012. “It would be beneficial to the business communities of both sides if Pakistan allows all items not in the Negative List to be traded across the land border at Attari-Wagah,” added Shri Sharma. He also said: “We are keen on Khokhrapar – Munabao. A Joint Working Group was agreed to be set up. In our state of Punjab, they want to open more border points and also in Rajasthan connecting Sindh. I believe there is a similar desire from the Pakistan side so that other states of Pakistan are also connected.”

India and Pakistan have signed a new Visa Agreement on September 8, 2012 in Islamabad during the visit of External Affairs Minister to Pakistan. Once implemented, the new Visa Agreement will liberalise the bilateral visa regime and introduce a number of measures aimed at easing travel, including travel for business purposes. The new Visa Agreement has still not come into force. Pakistan needs to indicate its readiness to bring into force the new Visa Agreement. Shri Sharma emphasised the early operationalisation of visa regime and requested the delegation to convey that Pakistan should finish the process as early as possible.

****
DS

Trade normalisation: move from positive to negative lists and steps toward MFN, banking access and route liberalisation urged. India urged consolidation of trade normalisation by shifting from a Positive list to a Negative list and ultimately according Most Favoured Nation status, while proposing practical measures: establish initial cross-border bank branches and consider Indian private banks, constitute a Joint Business Council with an Indian Co-Chair, expand land-border trade through the Attari-Wagah Integrated Check Post and other routes including Khokhrapar-Munabao, and press for early operationalisation of a new Visa Agreement to liberalise business travel.