Wagah should have joint trade office

LAHORE: The Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Confederation of Indian Industry were on Tuesday urged to consider chalking out a minimum common programme for joint research on agriculture and agro-based projects so as to give a further boost to bilateral and economic ties between India and Pakistan.

Addressing members of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry and a large Indian business delegation representing the Confederation of Indian Industry and PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, chief minister Amarinder Singh assured to provide all possible assistance and cooperation for the proposed joint ventures in the changed scenario.

Stating that there was tremendous potential to increase two-way trade Capt Singh said that the unofficial indirect annual trade of $2 billion between India and Pakistan could increase four fold if the same could be regularised. In this context he said, “There are a number of commodities which India can buy from Pakistan and latter can pick up several goods commodities including food grains from India. “

He said Pakistan imports food grains to the tune of 25 to 30 lakh tonnes annually and as India has surplus food grains the same can be supplied at much lower prices. “We in India import cotton and Pakistan has surplus cotton especially long staple cotton which India can buy.�

He particularly point out at Mr Rajinder Gupta, MD Trident group whom he said could be one of the major importers of cotton.

He also talked about mangoes which could be supplied to Pakistan from India during off season and Pakistan on its part which is also a major grower of mangoes could supply the same at the time these were not available in India.

Both countries he said can acquire competitive edge in the new globalised world by entering into trade with each other.

The chief minister was given a tumultuous reception upon his arrival at Wagah earlier in the day .Virtually the entire Punjab Cabinet including the chief minister Pervaiz Elahi was present to receive.

The entire route from Wagah to Lahore boasted of posters and banners in Punjabi, English, Urdu and Hindi welcoming the chief minister and it was a testimony that none of the leaders from Indian territory had been accorded such a warm welcome.

Posters such as “citizens of Lahore welcome, Mahraja Amarinder Singh� and “We welcome Maharaja Amarinder Singh� were at every nook and corner of the entire route including the famous The Mall Road.