Seminar on normalisation of trade with India held

A seminar on awareness campaign on normalisation of trade with India was organised by Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) and the Hyderabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (HCCI) on Wednesday. Dr Manzoor Ahmed, Former Ambassador of Pakistan to WTO, Geneva briefed the participants about the recent steps taken by the Government of Pakistan in normalisation of trade with India.
He highlighted the benefits and explained in details about the opportunities available to Pakistan businessmen about exports to India.
He explained that the Ministry has taken various steps to ensure that our exporters do not face any non-tariff barriers or other difficulties while exporting to India. Already on a large number of items Pakistani exporters can get duty concession under SAFTA. The government has also taken adequate precautions to ensure that our local industry is not hurt by any flood of imports.
He invited the businessmen to give their suggestions as to what measures they would like the government to take to improve exports from this region.
Speaking on behalf of Chamber of Commerce & Industry, the President HCCI, Gohar Ullah explained that both countries will benefit from trading with each other. He appealed to the Pakistan government that the Khokhrapar Border be opened for trade purpose with India.
The President Mirpurkhas Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MCCI), Azhar Jilani also supported the resolution and assured the House that the MCCI would also take up this matter with the government from its platform as Mirpurkhas Railway Station is on the way to Khokhrapar. Dr Zulfiquar Ahmed Yousfani, Former Senior Vice President HCCI expressed that Indian government is giving subsidy on production of agricultural crops, whereas our cost of agricultural crop production is much higher due to increased cost of inputs such as fertiliser and pesticides etc. If the government does not regularise the imports of agricultural products from India then our agricultural industry will collapse.