Finance Minister chairs meeting of committee to examine trade with India

Finance Minister chairs meeting of committee to examine trade with India

Federal Minister for Finance, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar chaired a meeting of Committee to examine trade with India at the Finance Ministry today.

Secretary Commerce, Mr. Qasim Muhammad Niaz gave a detailed presentation on the broader framework of the roadmap to move ahead on non-discriminatory market access for Pakistan’s exports to India. He briefed the Committee on the pros and cons of normalization of trade relations with India and the benefits Pakistan will accrue in export of textile and manufacture goods. He also informed the Committee that all stakeholders have been taken into confidence and concerns of our industry will be addressed in the process. Commerce Minister, Mr. Khurram Dastagir Khan briefed the Committee on the progress made on addressing Pakistan’s genuine concerns during his last visit to India.

Finance Minister said that it should be ensured that all the concessions are on reciprocal basis and concerns of our industry should be taken care in the future arrangement. He said that import from India should substitute our import from other countries which will save valuable foreign exchange. He emphasized that there should be meaningful market access and level playing field for Pakistan’s exports to India. The Committee will present its detailed report to the Cabinet for consideration.

SAPM on Foreign Affairs, Mr. Tariq Fatmi, Chairman FBR, Tariq Bajwa, Mr. Zafar Mehmood former Secretary Commerce, Chairman Nestle Pakistan, Syed Yawar Ali, Advisor to Finance Ministry, Rana Asad Amin and senior officials of the concerned ministries also attended the Committee meeting.