3-day Indian trade expo concludes in Pakistan

A three-day Indian trade fair today concluded in the Pakistani city with businessmen from both the countries calling upon the governments to ease the visa restrictions to increase trade between the two countries.
The expo centre was brimming with people, mostly women, as the jewellery and clothes on display at different stalls remained the centre of attraction for them.
"The quality of the sarees and other clothes and the artificial jewellery is really impressive," Begum Saiqa said as she moved around with her two daughter-in-laws.
Kitchen utensils, plastic goods, furniture pieces, foods, cosmetics, footwear and electrical equipment and other India- made products were on display.

Abdul Aziz Hajee, the leader of the Indian delegation, declared the expo a big success.
"Both governments must work on liberalising trade between the two nations as Pakistan can benefit a lot from our economy," he said.

"The response and interest from the people and the business community and traders has been very high and we hope such shows can be organised on a regular basis in both countries," he said.
Indian businessman Rahim Khatri, who arrived from Mumbai, however, complained that because of delay in issuance of visas or non-issuance, some of the traders could not make it to the event.

A total of 33 Indian companies participated in the fair that was held jointly by the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and industry (KCCI) and the Federation of Indian Exporting Organisation (FIEO).
Many of the Indian businessman were given five-day visas instead of the usual 15-day visas, one stall-owner said.
Siraj Kassim Teli of the KCCI said, "If trade is hassle- free and restrictions are removed, there is lot we can learn from each other," Teli said.
A representative of an Indian firm M/s Ramind proposed that meetings between Indian and Pakistani businessmen can be arranged at Wagah border as no visa shall be required.