Pakistan wants 'level playing field' for better trade ties

NEW DELHI: A delegation of visiting Pakistani business leaders has expressed confidence that the government of their country will soon give India non-discriminatory market access, which is expected to pave way for better trade and business ties between the two neighbours.

"All homework and formalities have been completed," said Syed Yawar Ali, Pakistan co-chair for India-Pakistan Joint Business Forum (IPJBF). "I think it is only a matter of time that the governments meet and right forum is there."

Although India gave Pakistan the most favored nation (MFN) status in 1996, Pakistan is yet to reciprocate. Non-discriminatory market access (NDMA) is a nomenclature chosen by the Pakistan government to avoid political ramifications at home of giving India the MFN status.

Ali also said the Pakistani business community has sought the status for India, thought there is lack of government consensus. Commerce secretaries too are likely to have bilateral discussions on trade. While Pakistan stood against India at the WTO, the business community supported India's effort in protecting interests of farmers.

"We have 60 per cent people who are in agriculture sector and the US and EU have only 2 per cent but yet they protect them very vigorously. I would support India's WTO effort here," Ali said at CII forum.

IPJBF has constituted 10 task forces on sectors, including agriculture, automobiles, engineering and IT. They will submit recommendations to increase bilateral trade and investment.

Sunil Kant Munjal, Indian-co-chair of IPJBF, said the task force on auto sector has suggested pruning of the negative list of Pakistani imports from India to exclude auto components.