Economic prosperity must for Asian renewal: Experts

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, December 3

Before the ‘Heart of Asia’ conference is officially inaugurated by the Prime Minister on Sunday, a series of seminars were held at Hyatt to discuss several agendas including multi-modal transport connectivity and trade and investment connectivity along the international borders. Delegates from countries like Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Krygyzstan and India participated in panel discussion supporting measures to increase cooperation between countries to increase trade. 

The day began with a first seminar on multi-modal transport connectivity and transit, where Nazir Kabiri, senior advisor to the ministry of finance, Afghanistan chaired the panel. The post lunch session had panel discussion on Trade and Investment connectivity, where speakers included Solieva Mehriniso, deputy head of government relations of India based Tajikistani firm, Abdul Hassib Rahimi, CEO, Kabul Chambers and Sandeep Kumar, commissioner, Central Board of Excise and Customs, govt of India. The representatives of several business organisations and governments stressed on encouraging continental dialogue on building positive trade relations and routes along the participating countries. 

  Representatives from trade and business community were also in attendance. Gunbir Singh, president,

Dilbir Foundation also shared some recommendations made during the discussion. “The Heart of Asia shall beat well only if all the constituent valves work in progressive tandem. Pakistan must divorce parochial historical baggage for economic prosperity of its nationals and the people of Asia. Only such fiduciary bonds of interdependence shall forge peace in the region.”

Dilbir Foundation gave five recommendations to augment commerce in Asia —  Offer Pakistan and its people sufficient economic benefits for unhindered passage to Asian goods;   Subsidise and introduce Low cost air freight to make trade viable across the skies; Redouble the pace of Chabahar sea freight connectivity for Asian trade through Iran;  Get businessmen and traders to meet often in exchanges across the Asian continent; and Revive the Kabul-Amritsar trade axis by reintroducing the Air India andAriana Afghan flights, as well as introduce flights to Dushanbe, Tajikistan.