A KCCI statement on Thursday said that speaking on this occasion, Chairman Businessmen Group and former President KCCI, Siraj Kassam Teli, maintained that peace dialogue process and confidence building measures between India and Pakistan started in 2004, when he took first Pakistani High-level Business Delegation to India as the then President KCCI.
He said that for bilateral trade liberalization strengths, weaknesses and apprehensions are on both sides which can be resolve with mutual deliberations.
Teli was of the view that subsequent to recent bilateral talks on commercial and economic cooperation, follow-up from Indian side is far ahead as compared to Pakistani side.
Business communities of both countries have to influence their governments for trade and other affairs to be moved forward from last point of happening and not from the start.
Teli said that increased Indo-Pak private sector business integration is imperative to remove apprehensions and bureaucratic hurdles.
He was of the view that productive Indo Pak trade dialogues and subsequent development is not only beneficial for two countries but would also integrate SAARC block.
He said that pace of economic growth in South Asia was slow and intra-regional trade in SAARC block was very nominal as compared to ASEAN and EU.
Creating new Indo-Pak trade synergies and opportunities will also activate intra-SAARC trade.
He was of the view that political relations should not affect the positive business developments between business communities of two countries and businesses should not suffer.
He hoped that the Indo-Pak business communities would fairly and sincerely entertain each other.
KCCI President Muhammad Haroon Agar proposed to sign a protocol of cooperation between KCCI and CII to facilitate Indo-Pak business community and organizing of exhibitions and trade delegations.
He voiced that KCCI can join hands with Indian counterparts to address the apprehensions of business communities of both sides as trade is done when beneficial and based on reciprocity.
He apprised that India Expo was scheduled from 21-23 December at Karachi Expo Centre with collaboration of Federation of Indian Exporters Organizations (FIEO).
He conveyed his message to President of CCI Adi Godrej that KCCI can extend similar cooperation to CII. KCCI has also planned to allocate one complete hall for Indian Pavilion in 10th My-Karachi Exhibition scheduled to be organized from 5th to 7th July, 2013.
He said that KCCI also intend to organize one exhibition of products made in Pakistan in India during first quarter of 2013.
Confederation of Indian Industry's Business delegation leader Kiran Vohra who is also the director of Forbes Marshall India expressed gratitude to President KCCI for extending opportunity to CII Members to explore business possibilities with KCCI members.
He articulated that CII is 136 years old organization having 60 international offices and desires to establish productive relations with Pakistani counterparts. Establishing business contacts and understanding market trends and business is essential.
Both sides have reservations on balance of trade. He opined to identify key issues, subsequent talks, debate and its resolution. He apprised that CII's delegation comprising of representatives from Indian Industries: Forbes Marshall, Calderys Indian Refractories, Escorts Ltd, Godrej and Boyce Mfg Co., HPCL-Mittal Energy, Rajnish International, Saint-Gobain Glass India, SSB Enterprises, Wipro Consumer Care were interested to join hands with Pakistan counterparts in FMCG, Lighting, electrical and home appliances, healthcare, refractory, engineering, industrial products, tractors and farm machinery, glass, cement, furniture sectors.
He appreciated presence of number of KCCI member companies to have meaningful B2B meetings with CII delegation.
Senior Vice President KCCI Shamim Firpo, Vice President Nasir Mehmood, Chairman International Affairs KCCI Junaid Makda and Direct and Head South Asia Confederation of Indian Industry Manish Mohan also exchanged views on Indo-Pak Trade interaction session.