LAHORE, Jan 10: Inadequate transport and logistics infrastructure at the land borders are major impediments in achieving Indo-Pakistan trade potential in coming months, opined the participants of a roundtable conference on trade between the two countries.

Held on Thursday, the conference was organised by the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER) and Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) to prepare a working paper for key decision makers in Pakistan and India for future policy guidelines.

There was a consensus that holding road-shows on both sides would bridge the information gap on possible investment opportunities. The participants urged private sector should take the lead to evolve a broader vision to guide the policy makers in the two countries in the larger interest of economies.

Indian Deputy High Commissioner Gopal Baglay recounted the confidence building measures India has taken so far. While quoting the Indian Commerce Minister, Baglay said that for every step Pakistan takes, India was ready to take two. LCCI President Farooq Iftikhar said in his opening remarks that considerable reduction in time and freight charges would result in much predictable and stable inventory management as well.

He stressed the need to open more trade routes between the two countries and also upgrade facilities and services existing at border points in order to handle much expected bigger volume of trade in the days ahead.

He said that serious study to move forward while taking care of concerns shown from both the sides has yet to be framed in order of preferences. For that matter NTBs were required to be removed and the level of acceptance to various certificates issued by the concerned authorities on either side needs to be enhanced.

Opinion

Editorial

Tribunals’ failure
Updated 19 Nov, 2024

Tribunals’ failure

With election tribunals having failed to fulfil their purpose, it isn't surprising that Pakistan has not been able to stabilise.
Balochistan MPC
19 Nov, 2024

Balochistan MPC

WHILE immediate threats to law and order must be confronted by security forces, the long-term solution to...
Firm tax measures
19 Nov, 2024

Firm tax measures

FINANCE Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb is ready to employ force to make everyone and every sector in Pakistan pay their...
When medicine fails
Updated 18 Nov, 2024

When medicine fails

Between now and 2050, medical experts expect antibiotic resistance to kill 40m people worldwide.
Nawaz on India
Updated 18 Nov, 2024

Nawaz on India

Nawaz Sharif’s hopes of better ties with India can only be realised when New Delhi responds to Pakistan positively.
State of abuse
18 Nov, 2024

State of abuse

The state must accept that crimes against children have become endemic in the country.