NEW DELHI, March 15: Indian tycoons and medium businesses are eagerly waiting for the elected political government in Pakistan to settle down so that they could explore the market.

The members of PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry were found to be more inclined for closer economic relations than national groupings.

“I was born in Chakwal, for me a visit to Pakistan is like going back home. I have been there many times before and will go there again. I would love to engage more closely with friends in Pakistan,” Dr L K Malhotra, President of PHD Chamber, told Dawn on the sidelines of a function ‘Diplomatic Night’ organised by the Chamber in Delhi.

PHD Chamber’s geographical span covers Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and the Union Territory of Chandigarh.

“We are same people with same language, identical mannerism, and similar tastes. I see no reason why should we not complement business endeavours of each other. I found Pakistani businessmen immensely talented. There is a huge unexplored territory that we can venture jointly,” said Mr Ravi Wig, a former president of the PHD Chamber.

“Last time we went to Lahore to attend a wedding. My wife, who happens to be very choosy, bought so many ‘Bareeze’ suit pieces difficult to pack them in the suitcases we had,” said another businessman at the function.

Dr Mandeep Sharma, founder Chairperson and President of the Association of Women Entrepreneurs and Career Women, India, who is a leading exporter of meat, vegetables and jewellery to Pakistan and importer of Pakistani cement, said that hospitality of business partners and friends on the other side of the border had won her over.

She said she was willing to take the risk involved in doing business with Pakistan because it was rewarding, both financially and emotionally. “My interaction with Pakistani businessmen has earned me some very dependable friends.” She particularly mentioned the names of leading Pakistani businessmen Majyd Aziz and Qadir Jaffer.