KARACHI: Wahga Customs Station has been complete and would soon start functioning in order to facilitate trade with Pakistan. This was stated by Indian High Commissioner T.C. Raghavan.
Addressing the office bearers and members of Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PRGMEA) and organising committee of Made in Pakistan Expo 2014, Raghavan said that Customs Station on Indian side was under construction for quite some time but it has now been completed and started examining goods at mass scale.
He said that India has not imposed any kind of ban on Pakistan’s truckloads of goods entering into India and at Wahga border their movement is continuing. Regarding non-tariff barriers (NTBs) he said that it was up to the governments that whatever it considers better for the country. He said that Pakistani exporters’ marketing in Indian market should be strong and more effective to enhance their market share in India.
He said that China in a very short period of time has captured $ 40 billion market in India and its trade is still growing. He said that Cement exporters should ask their buyers to contact private sector certification agencies to acquire certification as cement buyers are reluctant to come to Pakistan due to security reasons. He said that visa related problems would be resolved soon. The exhibitors taking part in Made in Pakistan Expo 2014 being held in Mumbai would be given visas on priority.
The PRGMEA Chairman Arshad Aziz said on the occasion that over 70 per cent stalls have been booked for the event as the response for the mega event being held in April is overwhelming. He said that considering the response to the fair he extended this event to the manufacturers of other sectors besides textile and clothing. He appealed to the High Commissioner to reduce tariff on Pakistan’s apparel as per SAFTA rules because Sri Lanka and Nepal are enjoying duty and tariff free regime on their garments in India. The businessmen present on the occasion appealed to minimise the period of visa processing.
