India hopeful of boosting bilateral trade with Pakistan: Anand Sharma

Amritsar, Feb 13 (ANI): Union Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma has said that his visit to Pakistan would help to create strong bridges of understanding for enhanced bilateral trade between the two nations.

"This visit is to create strong bridges of understanding to enhance the trade between the two countries and to deepen and diversify the economic engagement, which in our view is the only way forward for the betterment of the people of both the countries. This is a shared wish and desire of both the governments," Sharma told media here ahead of his visit.

He further said that a high-level delegation, comprising officials from various Indian ministries and over 120 business representatives would be accompanying him on the visit.

"I am going there on the first ever-substantive bilateral visit by the Indian Commerce Minister and I had the privilege of receiving the Pakistan Commerce Minister, Amin Fahim, in September and I am going there in response to their invitation. We are accompanied by a big delegation of over 120 corporate leaders and in Lahore over 400 union business entities are participating in the India show," Sharma added.

The Indian delegation is expected to hold talks with Pakistan's top business bodies, including the Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, among others.

Speaking about the road map of granting much-awaited MFN status to India by Pakistan, Sharma seemed positive, saying the matter will be discussed in length in Islamabad.

"Well, lets look at the positives now, with Pakistan agreeing to move from a positive list regime to a small negative list regime and to grant after that the MFN to India. We are looking at, how we can enhance the economic relationship and we will be discussing all matter when I am in Islamabad," Sharma said.

Sharma said that along with his Pakistani counterpart, he would also visit the under construction Integrated Check Post in Amritsar to examine the state of preparedness. (ANI)