Trade chambers demand opening of business park

Neeraj Bagga

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, December 7

Various chambers of commerce from India and Pakistan resolved to press for the establishment of a common business park on the Attari-Wagah border (within the ICP complex), where the industrialists of both the countries can showcase their products, hold meetings and sign trade deals.

The resolution was unanimously passed to boost bilateral trade on the penultimate day of the Punjab International Trade Exhibition (PITEX) here today.

The chambers demanded that no visa should be made mandatory for such meetings and ID proofs should be sufficient for the purpose.

The representatives from both the countries decided to pass a resolution and submit the signed copies of the resolution to governments of both the countries at appropriate levels.

The representatives resolved to request and pursue with their respective governments the demand that business visas be made available on the recommendation of a recognised chamber of commerce and industry.
The business visas so issued are multi-visas (valid for one year), multi-city and non-reporting. Further, they resolved that both the countries be urged to facilitate organising exhibitions of Indian products in Pakistan and vice-versa.
Either government should permit delegation visits on a regular basis in each other’s countries.
It was decided to request the respective governments to open bank branches in each other’s countries and also at the ICP so that there is no problem in making transactions.
Local currency with monthly adjustments should be made possible so that trade should not be affected due to US dollar fluctuations.
To request the respective governments that there should be no restriction on the number of trade items at Wagah/Attari borders and all items, which can be transacted through sea route, should be allowed also through the land route.
It was suggested that a person having a business visa should be eligible to get SIM card on presenting valid visa and passport.
In the 9th edition of PITEX in Amritsar, it was observed that in spite of lot of efforts of business chambers from both the countries, nothing concrete could come out.
In the end it was jointly decided that Punjab to Punjab trade should be boosted. The house agreed that more and more trade should be allowed through Wagah and other land routes. It would help the products to be more economical by reducing the transportation and logistics cost and that too without any delay.
The meeting was attended by representatives of PHD Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Sargodha Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Jhelum Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Gujranwala Chamber of Commerce and Industry.