CACCI chief calls for promoting Pak-India trade ties

17 Apr, 2004

Confederation of Asia Pacific Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CACCI) Chairman K. K. Moodi on Friday agreed with LCCI President Mian Anjum's call to the governments of Pakistan and India to resolve all outstanding political issues in order to pave way for long lasting economic co-operation between the two neighbouring countries.
Addressing the LCCI office-bearers and other members, Moodi, who is heading a 15-member delegation of the CACCI, said the two governments must ensure atmosphere conducive for resolving simmering political issues and removing hurdles impeding bilateral trade.
Praising beauty of the historic city of Lahore, he said, he was highly touched with the love and affection of the people towards the members of the delegation.
He said the aim of CACCI was to promote economic co-operation among the Asia Pacific states.
He invited the LCCI members to attend 68th Council meeting of CACCI being held in Cambodia on May 18 and 19 and Business Congress to be held in New Delhi in December.
He also said that after the success of "Made in Pakistan Exhibition" in New Delhi, the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry would hold "Made in India Exhibition" in Lahore in September.
He hoped that as Pakistan and India were natural partners, therefore, the relations between them were bound to grow.
LCCI President Mian Anjum Nisar said that prospects of operating collectively in the markets of South Asia have grown positively in consonance with the peace initiatives being taken by the governments of Pakistan and India.
It was high time to identify more workable areas for mutual co-operation in the best socio-economic interests of the populace of the region, he added.
He urged upon both the governments to ensure unhindered movement of the people, documents and goods between the two countries.
He also said that there was a need to change our visa policies that restrict the visitors to some particular cities only.
The visa procedure needed to be simplified and should be given to move freely in any part of the country without police reporting. More visa offices should be opened in major cities of both the countries.
This would not only be helpful for tourism, but would also provide an opportunity to the business community to promote mutually beneficial contacts.
Former LCCI presidents Iftikhar Ali Malik and Mian Mohammad Ashraf called for promoting two-way trade between both the countries. Among others Mian Tajammal Hussain, Jamil Mehboob Magoon, Muhammad Ali Mian, Irfan Qaiser and Zaka Ashraf also attended the meeting.

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