J&K business leaders to meet Indo-Pak officials

Aiming to boost cross-LoC trade, Jammu & Kashmir business leaders will meet top officials of India and Pakistan on Friday with demand for stronger infrastructure and institutional links.

Sources told Deccan Herald that the traders, who are meeting the Indo-Pak delegation in Dubai, will raise issues like communication, banking facilities, customs, travel, road and aerial connectivity.

Absence of these facilities hindered smooth flow of commodities and business transactions across the LoC since cross-LoC trade began in 2008. Around 21 items are currently on the approved export and import list as per standard operating procedure.

The volume of trade on Chakan da Bagh has been to the tune of Rs 1080 crore since 2008. Similarly, the volume of trade on Salamabad trading point has been to the tune of Rs 1700 crore.

A six member delegation headed by former J&K Joint Chamber of Commerce president Y V Sharma has already left for Dubai to participate in the meeting.

Other trade leaders in the delegation include Mohammad Yasin Khan, Chairman Kashmir Economic Alliance (KEA), Mushtaq Ahmad Wani, president Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Mohammad Ashraf Mir, president Federation Chamber of Industries Kashmir.

From Jammu, cross-LoC Trade president Chakan da Bagh and Pawan Anand, Joint Chamber of Commerce Prakash Gupta are taking part in the meeting.

KEA’s chief spokesman Siraj Ahmad told reporters that the meeting is vital to boost and revitalize the state’s economy especially post floods.