By IANS
New Delhi : India can import cement from Pakistan as it is in high demand here, a senior commerce ministry official said Tuesday as both the countries kicked off two-day bilateral trade talks here.
"In a rapidly growing Indian economy, cement is in high demand and there is no reason why it could not be imported from Pakistan meeting the quality standards prescribed through internationally accredited certification," Commerce Secretary G.K. Pillai, who is leading the Indian delegation, said.
The Pakistani delegation also includes Aizaz Ahmed Choudhury, director general (South Asia and SAARC), and Shahid Hussain Raja, additional secretary among other high-level dignitaries.
"Proper diversification and development of exclusive niche products on a sectoral value chain help us avoid conflicts. Here, I would like to suggest that Pakistan identify twenty products of export interest," Pillai told the conference.
"After having ratified SAFTA you (Pakistan) gave clear indications of accepting India as a Most Favoured Nation. I hope that in the near future this issue is put behind us," he said adding that the main objective of both the countries should be to ensure free movement of people and goods within the South Asian region.
"India has taken a critical look at the infrastructure on our side. We are now in the process of developing world-class infrastructure and an integrated check posts at Attari."
Pillai also said that the scope and potential for greater bilateral trade is enormous, the benefits of which would be accrued by both the countries.
"The complementarities in the structure of the two economies, price advantages, low freight costs on account of contiguous land borders and cultural and linguistic similarities, provide the rationale for enhanced trade and commerce between the two sides," Pillai emphasised.
Trade between the two countries has grown at more than 70 percent during the past two years. While Pakistani exports to India have grown from $94.97 million in 2004-05 to $323.19 million 2006-07, Indian exports have grown from $521.05 million in 2004-05 to $1,348.32 million in 2006-07.