ISLAMABAD: Newly appointed Indian High Commissioner Gautam Bambawale has said It is my belief that the road to the normalization of India-Pakistan relations lies through greater business ties, enhanced trade links and increasing cross investment between our two countries.
I invite Pakistan Nusiness community to work with us towards this goal. He make proposal to Pakistan businessmen to explore opportunities on India’s growing market to sell more goods and products there and through such trade they will also contribute to the prosperity of your own countries.
During an interview with Customs Today Indian High Commissioner Gautam Bambawale said that my wife and I am are delighted to be in Pakistan. We have been very warmly received and welcomed in Islamabad. I thanked the people of Pakistan for their kindness. Pakistani people have indeed been very gracious. He said as per current statistical bilateral trade between India and Pakistan was mere US$ 2.35 billion in 2014-2015.
This is an alarming low figure for two large expending economies such as ours. we also know and recognize that some of our bilateral trade take place through third countries mainly Dubai. Even if one were to add such trade, the volume of exports and imports between us is still very low. Surely, we can do better than this. We also owe it to our people. Through such enhanced trade and investment we can provide greater prosperity and better living standards to people of our countries. These are very important objectives for both India and Pakistan. He said it is in this light I would like to venture to say and suggest that when India-Pakistan dialogue commences, perhaps we should focus on enhancing trade and economic relations between our countries.
This will be one of the many issues we need to discuss when we have our bilateral consultations. We must factor into our thinking that a great deal of spadework has already been done on the business side of our relationship. Particularly between 2012 and 2014, an entire roadmap had been drawn up by the two countries on how we could proceed in commercial ties. Even now we could work according to that outline. If that is not convenient, we could work out a new way forward on business contacts. In this matter, India is willing to move ahead in close consultation with Pakistani authorities. We are willing to work step by step with Pakistan. India is a populous country with a large economy which is growing at roughly 7 percent every year. The income levels of our people are expanding rapidly. Therefore, India represents a very large market that is growing fast and hence has extensive opportunities for businesses and entrepreneurs from all countries across the globe including Pakistan. Utilize the rapidly expanding Indian economy for your own benefit and for your own growth through the medium of trade and investment.
Replying to a question he said that the governments of two countries will need to keep up with the times and facilitate greater business between India and Pakistan. We will keep in mind that greater economic interaction is itself an enormous Confidence Building Measure or CBM. It has been utilized very effectively in other parts of the globe for building greater trust and confidence between neighboring countries.
In response to a question he said it is a legitimate question, which naturally come to your mind is that how can business take place when getting visa is so difficult? It is a very valid query. There is a little doubt in my mind that if we have to encourage greater trade ties between our countries, the two governments will have to sit together and work out a more liberal visa regime. I think this is possible. I think this is probable. More importantly, I think this is doable.
