KARACHI - A stakeholder conference on “Trade Normalisation and FDI Prospects for India & Pakistan” is going to be held on 29th November 2012 here tomorrow (Thursday).
The day-long consultative meeting organised by SDPI would engage business community, government officials and other important stakeholders to discuss issues related to recent developments in context of India-Pakistan trade liberalisation and India’s decision to allow foreign direct investment from Pakistan. 
The conference focuses on framing observations and recommendations which will be shared with relevant government institutions authorities on both sides of the border. Additionally, these recommendations will also be communicated to SAARC Secretariat for further discussion during upcoming 18th SAARC Summit.
In view of recent liberalisation by India of its FDI regime for Pakistani investors, the conference would look at the preparedness of Pakistani business community in engaging with India and reaping benefits from a potentially large market.

The conference would also looks into prevalent non-tariff barriers that may prevent Pakistani exporters to increase in Indian market. It will also provide the business community an opportunity to explain how they can benefit from potentially cheaper imports of relatively better quality from India.
The conference is expected to be attended by eminent speakers including Dr. Mirza Ikhtiar Baig, Federal Advisor on Textiles to the Prime Minister of Pakistan; Dr Ishrat Hussain, former Governor, State Bank of Pakistan; Haroon Askari, Deputy Managing Director, Karachi Stock Exchange; Dr Shahida Wizarat, Head Economics Department, Institute of Business Management; Afnan Ahsan, CEO, Engro Foods Ltd; Amin Hashwani, Co-Chair, India-Pakistan CEO’s Business Forum; Naeem Yahya Mir, MD & CEO Pakistan State Oil; SM Munir, Chairman, Din Group; Haroon Askari, Deputy Managing Director, Karachi Stock Exchange and a number of other officials.