Sohail Lashari maintained that enhanced trade ties between Pakistan and India would help end poverty from this region, besides providing a leverage to both the states to play a global role, as their strategic location was ideal one in the world.
'Better understanding between Pakistan and India was the most effective way for the solution of their bilateral disputes, including Kashmir and Baglihar Dam', he added.
According to him, Pakistan and India had tremendous potential for bilateral trade but the relationship had always been a victim of the political relationship based on apprehensions that were obstructing trade and economic exchanges.
Several attempts had been made to improve the situation in the past, which reflected mutual recognition of the inherent advantages of trade between the two countries.
He said Pakistan was maintaining a positive list of more than 750 products that might be legally imported from India. "The trade between India and Pakistan was growing steadily and has reached dollars 345 million in 2003-04 as compared to dollars 251 million in 2002-03.
The trade figures reflect that the trades between India and Pakistan through third country destination like Dubai and Singapore ranges around dollars 1 to 2 billion per annum. Goods like chemicals, medicines, cosmetics, tyres, spices and viscose fiber from India and cotton cloth from Pakistan makes their way through different channels. This shows the potential of bilateral trade between the two countries," he added.
He also invited the Indian companies to initiate joint ventures in the fields of software development, telecommunication, information technology, computer engineering, bio-technology, light engineering, foundry machinery items, metallurgy, precious and semi precious gemstones, value added textiles, leather, sports goods, surgical instruments and petrochemicals.
Speaking on the occasion, head of the CII delegation, Sushanta Kumar Sen said the CII had taken many initiatives in the past for the promotion of Pak-India economic co-operation. He said only 12 days back, an Indian chief executive officers (CEOs) delegation called on General Pervez Musharraf.
The meeting covered a range of economic, industry and business issues. There were many issues and challenges and those needed to be resolved at the earliest to allow unhindered trade between the two countries, he added.
Sushanta Kumar said Indo-Pak trade was moving upward and the current bilateral official trade was about dollars 345 million. He said both the countries should take measures to increase direct trade.
According to him, India and Pakistan were largest countries in the region in terms of population and economy, and the objective should be to work towards stability and prosperity in the region. We should work together towards moving SAFTA.
Other areas of co-operation were IT and IT-enabled services, health services, tourism - especially religious tourism, environment and energy management. Moreover, CII and LCCI should work together to promote exports of Pakistan's products in India.
He was of the view that CII and LCCI should promote Vintage Car Rally, which was planned from New Delhi to Lahore early next month. He said the LCCI delegation should visit International Engineering & Technology Fair being held from February 9 to 12 in New Delhi. He also invited Pakistani businessmen to organise a Made in Pakistan show in India.