Pakistan today said reviewing of visa norms and the air services agreement was part of the ongoing bilateral discussions with India.This is understood to be a hint at a possible relaxation of visa restrictions in the future. | |
| While the issue of allowing diesel exports from India was still under review, Pakistan said border trade was being gradually opened up. |
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| Addressing a session organised by Ficci, Pakistan Commerce Minister Humanyun Akhtar Khan said his country had "no problems" in forging an 'Open Sky' policy with India and would work towards liberalising "as much as possible" its visa regime for businessmen and other communities. |
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| He pointed out that the two sides had also agreed to take a re-look at the shipping agreement which had become outdated. On the issue of replacing the positive list with a negative list, Khan said the issue would be addressed with the operationalisation of the South Asia Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA). |
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| "It is on schedule and there are no stumbling blocks. The agreement will be operationalised on January 1, 2006, and implemented over the next five years with respect to India and Pakistan, and 10 years for the other member countries," he said. |
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| He pointed out that while globally there was a plethora of regional and free trading agreements which went beyond the World Trade Organisation, trade among the South Asian countries was among the lowest. |
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| Citing the European Union as an example of regional integration, Khan said the EU countries had come together despite two World Wars and nearly 100 years of conflict. |
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| Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath said trade between the two countries was increasing, which was a positive trend. |
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| India's imports from Pakistan in the first quarter of the current fiscal had increased 150 per cent to $29.18 million, compared to $11 million during April-June last year. India's exports to Pakistan had increased by 8 per cent to $155.18 million, as against $143 million in the first quarter last year. |
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| Commerce ministry officials said measures to reduce specific duties on over 200 tariff lines in textiles for both Pakistan and Bangaldesh was under consideration. India had submitted a list of 271 items for inclusion on the positive list while Pakistan had also submitted a list of items for tariff concessions, they said. |
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| They added that the two sides were considering adding more land routes like Hussaniwallah to the existing Attari and Wagah land stations. |
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