KARACHI: The visiting Indian business delegation in a meeting with members of KCCI here on Friday supported KCCI theory that the business communities of both the countries should work jointly for promoting economic cooperation, increasing bilateral trade and bringing the two nations closer as the best neighbours.
"We are good neighbours and we would be working together for our mutual benefits and prosperity," leader of the Indian delegation, Abdul Aziz Hajee remarked during the interactive session at Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI).
The Indian businessmen have flown to Karachi to exhibit their products at 3-day "India Expo" here at Karachi Expo Center, starting from Friday.
Chairman, Businessmen Group at KCCI and former president KCCI Siraj Kassem Teli inaugurated the exhibition.
Abdul Aziz Hajee emphasised that the business communities of both the countries should try to bridge the trade gap between India and Pakistan and boost it up to their trade potential.
"We should try our best to increase the bilateral trade and strengthen our ties in general," he added.
Responding to invitation from KCCI leadership, he assured good participation of Indian businessmen in " My Karachi : Oasis of Harmony" the KCCI-sponsored international trade exhibition being successfully held here for last seven years.
He praised the hospitality received here by the Indian delegation and expected the same during their visits in future as well.
When an Indian delegate pointed out that some medical products were placed on negative list of Pakistan, former president KCCI Anjum Nisar assured that Karachi Chamber will raise the issue with Federal Ministry of Commerce and hoped this would be resolved soon.
Another Indian businessman suggested that Indian and Pakistani businessmen can have business meetings in Dubai, Bangladesh or Sri Lanka till the process of issuance of visa is further streamlined and made easy by both the countries.
Representative of M/s. Ramind, an Indian firm, proposed that meetings between Indian and Pakistani businessmen can be arranged at Wagha border as no visa shall be required.
Chairman, KCCI International Affairs Committee, Junaid Ismail Makda supported the idea and added that such an arrangement should be made at Munabao, Sindh border with India.
Both the sides in general endorsed this innovative idea as an effective tool for boosting bilateral trade and investment.
The meeting also pointed out that lack of direct flights between Mumbai and Karachi and absence of money transactions through banks were also the major hurdles in increasing mutual trade.
Former president KCCI Anjum Nisar informed that State Bank of Pakistan and the Central Bank of India were working on this issue.
Anjum Nisar and Vice President KCCI Muhammad Idress said Pakistan and India should benefit from each other's economy.
"We can also benefit from $ 1.7 trillion economy of India. We can enter into joint ventures with our Indian counterparts," he remarked adding that both the countries should supplement each other instead of becoming competitors.
They also emphasised on promotion of regional trade and investment. That, Pakistan and India should take the lead.
Indian delegation and KCCI leadership were unanimous that media of both the countries should play a positive role to bring the two peoples closer.
They underlined the need for more exchange of business delegations, enhanced exchange of business information and maximum participation in each other's trade fairs and exhibitions.
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