Despite the slowdown, India’s exports to Pakistan through the Wagah border rose a little less than three-fold during April-October 2009 as compared with the corresponding period last year. The data, provided by the Customs department, reveal that 20-30 trucks cross the border everyday.
According to the data, during April-October 2009, the total value of exports to Pakistan through the border was Rs 299 crore, while it was Rs 105.71 crore during the corresponding period last year, a growth of around 185 per cent.
At present, India is exporting soya extracts, green chillies and potatoes to Pakistan.
However, imports from Pakistan registered a marginal increase. India imported goods worth Rs 182.48 crore during the period. The value of imports during the corresponding period last year was Rs 179.28 crore.
Overall, the total value of exports during finacial year 2008-09 was Rs 435.34 crore while the value of imports was Rs. 421.19 crore.
Exporters say the Indo-Pak trade has got a shot in the arm with cross-border movement of trucks along the Attari border, Amritsar, from October 1, 2007.
Earlier, the goods used to be exported by porters by exchanging their loads on the Radcliff line (border).
According to the Customs data, 30 trucks cross the border at present in comparison to 10-15 trucks per day when porters used to carry the consignments. Last year, trade between the two countries was affected by the slowdown. Experts said the trade would achieve a new milestone once the state-of-the-art integrated check post was in place.
Earlier, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal had expressed confidence that with the opening of the Attari border for trade, there would be a spurt in economic activity between Indian and Pakistani Punjabs, resulting in huge revenue and employment generation. He said there was a tremendous scope for increasing the trade.
