This was stated by Haji Fazal Kadir Khan Sherani, President of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) who welcomed the CII delegates and informed them about FPCCI's engagement with the Indian business community over the past few years. In particular, he pointed out that FPCCI delegations are visiting India frequently, and Pakistani products have made great inroads in Indian cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chandigarh, where FPCCI is organising exhibitions on a frequent basis.
Tariq Sayeed, former President of FPCCI, founder and former President of SAARC CCI and Vice President of CACCI expressed the wish that FPCCI may host all future delegations from CII in future. While recounting the progress made in Indo-Pak ties over the past two years, he pointed out some areas which were worthy of the attention of both countries, such as high duties on textile, leather and food items in India, limited flights between the two countries, inefficiency in the rail service and opening deputy high commissions in new cities like Karachi and Mumbai.
S.M. Muneer, President of the India-Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry pointed out that there is need of further progress on some issues without delay any more, such as opening a banking channel on reciprocal basis and opening new trading land routes along the border.
The members of the visiting delegation of CII comprised of representation from non-traditional areas, such as agricultural implements, chemicals and food processing. In particular, the Indian businessmen appreciated the quality of Pakistani tractors and stated that Pakistan and India could look to initiate joint ventures in tractors' assembly and redesigning. Speaking on the occasion, Kiran Vohra, who is leading the visiting Indian business group, said that Pakistan can benefit from transfers of technology, JV projects and buyback arrangements with India.-PR