New Delhi, April 15: India and Pakistan on Saturday expressed desire to encourage greater trade through the new Integrated Check Post (ICP) built at Attari, Punjab.
In a joint press statement, Commerce Minister Anand Sharma and his Pakistani counterpart Makhdoom Amin Fahim said the new infrastructure will enable a substantial increase in the movement of goods traffic across the border.
“Both sides agreed to take all further action to encourage greater trade through the new ICP. The new infrastructure will enable a substantial increase in the movement of goods traffic across the border. Also, it will now be possible for trade to be conducted over longer hours during any working day,” the ministers said.
The ministers further agreed that Pakistan would take necessary steps to remove restrictions on items permitted to be imported through land route.
Both Sharma and Fahim expressed the wish to continue discussion at the official level for possibilities of opening more land customs stations between both countries, helping in enhance greater economic engagement between business communities of both sides and deepen bilateral cooperation for mutual prosperity of their people.
It was also agreed that discussions would continue at the official level, to draw a roadmap for further reductions in the South Asia Free Trade Area (SAFTA) sensitive lists.
The ministers also noted that the respective Central Banks are examining issues relating to opening of bank branches of both the countries.
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