In order to push the economic ties between India and Pakistan, industry body FICCI will organise an "India Show" in Lahore from February 14 to 16 next year.
Pakistan’s trade with India has doubled in the last two years. Under the SAFTA process both countries would bring down the duty level on 98% items to 0-5% range.
Arvind Mehta, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Commerce and Industry said that the road map for enhancing trade is in place and much progress has been made in the last two years.
He added, “If Pakistan grants non-discriminatory access to India, India will provide a reciprocal market access to Pakistan at a 0-5% duty rate, similar to what is being given to Bangladesh. Pakistan should recognize that by delaying non-discriminatory access to India, it was losing out to Bangladesh.”
The second edition of the show is organised in association with FPCCI. Both FICCI and FPCCI are eyeing a bilateral trade exceeding U$ 7-8 billion per annum from the current $2.7 billion.
FICCI has recommended grant of MFN status by Pakistan to India, an Investment Protocol between the two countries, bridging the information gap in terms of each other’s product offerings, pursuing Track II engagement for improving understanding amongst the people on both sides of the border, easing restrictions on visas, opening of additional border crossings and increasing traffic frequency on the road through the Wagah border, improving banking facilities on both sides and investing in infrastructure development as potential areas for better economic ties.
