Trade between India and Pakistan is a welcome step. It is indeed a win-win situation. The market’s general reaction is that it may not “colonize” our domestic markets. May I also add that some of the foreign investors are showing concern that if their investment is not protected -- as it was at the time of investment -- they might consider to invest in a larger economy which may have an edge over Pakistan. It must be safeguarded. The negative list, among others, therefore must be for long enough period — 5 to 10 years. May I also add that Atlas Honda has been locally manufacturing motorcycles up to 9300 and are exporting about 10 percent of their products. This is a JV with Honda in addition to the cars and the power products. We must seriously consider all the benefits of trade.
M Zafar Mahmood,
Secretary Commerce, March 7.