ISLAMABAD, Oct 16: Trade representatives from across the Line of Control in Kashmir have formally announced the formation of a joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry to facilitate cross border trade.

This was announced in a press conference held in Srinagar after conclusion of a weeklong tour of trade representatives from Azad Jammu and Kashmir to occupied Kashmir.

The President of the Jammu and Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dr Mubeen Shah, and his AJK counterpart Zulfiqar Abbasi, said that the joint chamber will be named Federation of Jammu and Kashmir Chamber of Industries and Commerce (FJKCIC), KMS reported.

Giving details about the structure of the chamber, Dr Shah said it would consist of an executive body of 32 members with 16 members each from AJK and the occupied territory. Among 16 members from occupied Kashmir, eight members would be from Jammu.

He said the chamber would be headed by a president, two senior vice-presidents, one each from AJK and occupied Kashmir, and four vice-presidents, two each from both sides besides general secretaries.

“The FJKCIC will be headed by Mr Abbasi for the first year and senior vice-president of the chamber from occupied Kashmir would take over for the second year,” Mr Shah said.

Mr Abbasi and Mr Shah also signed an MoU for starting trade from Oct 21, as already announced by the Indian and Pakistani governments. “Fifteen trucks loaded with different goods would cross the LoC from this part of Kashmir to kick-start the trade,” Mr Abbasi said.

To start, fruit, vegetables, handicrafts, “Gabbas”, Namdas and Shawls would be exported from occupied Kashmir to AJK. Chamber intends to set up one office at each side of the Kashmir in future for smooth functioning of the set up.

Terming the cross-LoC trade as the biggest achievement in developing relations between two parts of Kashmir, Mr Abbasi said: “At last the trade between two parts of Kashmir would become a reality.”

Formation of working groups within the chamber was also announced to make the trade successful and simple. The groups would be identifying the items needed to be included in the trade in future.

The FJKCIC would also develop special cards for its members and traders and take the matter with both the governments for ensuring their hassle-free visit across the LoC. “We would impress upon the governments to allow the traders having the cards to travel frequently in their own vehicles for trade and business related matters,” Mr Abbasi said.—APP