The non-tariff barriers (NTBs) imposed by India are not at all Pakistan-specific and are debatable. Thus, Pakistan's businessmen should not be afraid of them. This was stated by Indian Commercial Attaché, Arvind Saxena, in a meeting with the office-bearers of Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) at the Lahore Chamber on Saturday.
LCCI President Irfan Qaiser, Vice President Saeeda Nazar, Iftikhar, Mohammad Asif and Shafqat Saeed Piracha were also present on the occasion. Arvind agreed to the proposal regarding easing the visa procedures and said that a businessmen-specific liberal and flexible visa regime would be in place very soon. "Pakistani businessmen are always facilitated whenever they intend to visit their counterparts in India," he added.
the LCCI President Irfan said that the business community was happy with the Federal Cabinet decision to grant MFN status to India, but it definitely wants that all reservations of the various sectors must be removed through discussions. He said that frequent exchanges of business delegations of the two countries, a flexible visa regime and one-year multiple visas to businessmen would definitely bring prosperity to the entire region.
The LCCI President also stressed the need for early establishment of infrastructure at Wagah Border so that the businessmen of both sides could be able to do business with ease. There is a dire need to establish a container yard, expand loading and unloading space, full-fledged online banking facility, quarantine department and other labs, he added. He briefed the visiting diplomat that the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry was taking a big delegation to India in December. He also appreciated the government for including 18 more items in the positive list.