ISLAMABAD - Pakistani Commerce Minister Makhdoom Amin Fahim would leave for India on April 12 for four days visit where he would inaugurate Lifestyle Exhibition and Cultural Programme in New Delhi and would also meet with his Indian counterpart Anand Sharma to discuss trade related issues, official of Commerce Ministry told.
Makhdoom Amin Fahim and Indian Minister Anand Sharma would review to completely abolish existing negative list of trade between the two sides in a meeting to be held on April 12, sources said while talking to The Nation on Monday. Similarly, sources informed that a dedicated gate at the Attari-Wagah border to facilitate movement of goods between India and Pakistan would open on April 13.
It might be recalled here that Pakistan and India are working to expand bilateral trade, as Islamabad had already decided to give Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status to New Delhi by December 2012.
Sources were of the view that Pakistan and India would also discuss non-trade barriers existing between the two sides. Sources further informed that Pakistan and Indian Commerce Ministers would discuss several trade-related issues including visa system for businessmen, opening of bank branches in respective countries.
Similarly, Pakistan is most likely to discuss Indian proposals to import electricity to overcome ongoing energy crisis in the country.
Official of the Commerce Ministry told that Pakistan is holding first mega Lifestyle exhibition and cultural programme in New Delhi from April 12 to 15. The event will be inaugurated by the Amin Fahim and Anand Sharma on April 12.
The Lifestyle Pakistan Exhibition is being organised by Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) to reciprocate India show held in Lahore in February.
According to officials of TDAP, some of Pakistan’s top companies belonging to fields of fashion apparel, home textiles, furniture, leather goods, Sindhi crafts and even Pakistani food will get a chance to explore the Indian lifestyle market.
India and Pakistan have said they intend to boost bilateral trade from current level of about $2 billion to $6 billion by 2014.