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| Vital measures for Cross LoC trade likely to be taken | | India Pak meeting for trade liberalization | |
Early Times Report
Srinagar, June 29: India and Pakistan's Commerce ministers will meet in Bhutan next month to discuss the issues related to the trade between the two countries.
Media reports maintained that the meet shall witness the participation of Nirmala Sitharaman with Pakistan's Commerce Minister Khurram Dastgir Khan after the formation of India's new BJP led government.
Reports also informed that several options would be explored for complete liberalisation of trade between the two countries. The meeting will also be reportedly attended by the commerce ministers of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries.
In 2012, Pakistan expanded the list of items that could be traded with India from 1,918 items to 5,800. Only 1,209 items now remain on the negative list.
Removing visa restrictions, allowing of banking channels and mobile connectivity are the issues likely to be discussed during the meet. A joint meeting of the officers of State and Central Governments to review and discuss the issues related to cross LOC trade was held on June 26 here.
Khurshid Ahmad Ganai, Financial Commissioner, Industries and Commerce, Joint Secretary, J&K Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs, R.K Srivastava, Principal Secretary, Home, Suresh Kumar, IG (CID), J&K Dr. B. Srinivas , Deputy Secretary (K) Ministry of Home Affairs,. Sulekha besides officers of Industries and Commerce Department, J&K Bank and BSNL were present on the occasion.
Ganai, had said: "The MHA was very positive for streamlining and augmenting the cross LoC trade and it has shown keen interest to open up new routes for the trade. The MHA has also promised to revise the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) governing the Cross LoC trade."
The FC Industries and Commerce, informed that MHA has agreed that it will exclusively fund the infrastructure including accommodation for officers at Chakan De Bagh, Uri Trade Facilitation Centres (TFC).
Ganaie said for Chaka Da Bagh the MHA has agreed to allocate Rs 10 Crores and for Uri trade facilitation centre, the MHA will allocate Rs 5 Crores. The FC industries and commerce added that the state government will be recommending the list of additional items of trade as is being proposed by the traders here and the list will be submitted to the MHA. "The MHA has said that the preference will be given to the items that are produced in Jammu and Kashmir and the same will be later taken up with the government of Pakistan for its agreement. The additional goods can be exchanged only after a mutual agreement between India and Pakistan," he added.
While discussing various demands and problems being faced by the traders associated with cross LOC trade at Salamabad, Uri and Chakan da Bagh, Poonch, it was felt that there is urgent need for further augmentation and streamlining of the cross LOC trade. It was agreed that the additional items to be included for trade shall be forwarded by the Industries & Commerce Department to the Ministry of Home Affairs for its inclusion in the agreed list of items in the SOP.
Regarding banking facilities, the Joint Secretary informed that the matter has already been taken up with the Government of Pakistan and the Ministry will pursue the matter with them vigorously. Provision of ISD facilities to the senior officers dealing with the cross LOC trade and the designated heads of traders association was also agreed to. The meeting was informed that the tendering process for purchase of Full Body Truck Scanners has been completed and a team of experts will be sent soon to identify the location and advice on the preparatory work before installation. During the meeting enhancement of cash amount to be carried by the passengers travelling across to PoK was also agreed to and a proposal to this effect will be submitted by the Home Department to the MHA for approval. Opening of additional trade routes, issuance of Visa permits and maintenance of balance sheet for goods traded across LOC from both sides were also discussed in the meeting. Upgradation of infrastructure at TFC Salamabad, Uri and TFC Chakan da Bagh was agreed and the custodians of the respective TFCs were directed to submit the updated proposals to the State Government for further necessary action and release of funds by the MHA. Upgradation of road and communication facilities from TFCs to zero line, visit of traders across LOC also came up for discussion and it was agreed that the Home Department will submit its recommendations to the Ministry of Home Affairs for obtaining necessary clearance from the Government of Pakistan. Ganai, thanked the visiting dignitaries for according positive consideration to all the issues of cross LOC trade. He expressed hope that cross LOC trade will further grow for the mutual benefit of the traders and people on both sides of LoC. |
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