Political issues should not affect biz ties with Ind:Pak Indst

India and Pakistan should ensure that political pressures do not affect bilateral trade between the two nations, a business delegation from the neighbouring country said here today.
"Both the governments should sit together and resolve their issues and such arrangements should be made that the political pressures do not affect the trade of the region," said Syed Mahmood Ghaznavi, Vice- President of Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry here today.
Ghaznavi said both India and Pakistan traders are keen to start new trade regime and minimize non-tariff barriers.
Ghaznavi who was leading a trade delegation was addressing an interactive B2B meet between the Chambers of India and Chambers of Pakistan, organized by PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry here today.

He said the objective of bringing the delegation was to explore new trade avenues between India and Pakistan.
"The first and foremost purpose of organizing such events is to facilitate more and more interaction between the industry and trading counterparts of the participating countries", said R S Sachdeva, co- chairman, Punjab Committee, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Delegates from Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Sargodha Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Jehlum Chamber of Commerce and Industry were present on the occasion.
"Only peace could bring about a positive change in the lives of South Asians. The impediments in the way of prosperity and progress of the region need to be done away with", said Ammar Atta Bajwa, President, Sargodha Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

The delegates urged the industry leaders to make concerted efforts and push both the governments to allow investment from Pakistan in India and vice versa.
"Thus, if Indian products are manufactured in Pakistan and Pakistani products in India, it can open trade routes upto Central Asia and South Asia", said one of the delegates.
Three reasons, said the industrialists, restrict trade between India and Pakistan -- restrictions on the movement of businessmen, delays in customs clearance and lack of product and sector specific approach.