Pak to Announce Negative List for Indian Exports Soon

-Arun Goyal-

Speaking to the Press on 12 February, Commerce Secretary Rahul Khullar said that Pak will announce a negative list for imports from India. Import in this category will be restricted while the residual list will be free. The new system will replace the 1800 items positive list which limited trade with India to only goods in the shopping list. Pak has recently given MFN status to India a cabinet approved gazette notification. India too may announce its own negative list to counter the Pak action.

Commerce Minister Anand Sharma told the press meet that the matter regarding transit trade through Pak Territory covering goods of Central Asia and Near East Origin may be taken up in the SAFTA Commerce Minister’s meet in Islamabad on 16^th. Mr. Sharma was replying to a question posed by this writer.

Transit trade through land route is key to allowing access to India to the energy resources gas and oil from Central Asia and Near East.

The transit trade matter will be taken up only after formal India-Pak trade of $10bn takes over from the trade to Pak through Dubai and Singapore. The negative list mechanism will also stabilise by them and the fears to India domination in Pak will die down.

Mr. Sharma is on a bilateral visit to Pakistan from 13th to 16th February on an invitation from his counterpart Minister Makhdoom Fahim. Over 120 Chief Executives from India will cross the Wagah border by road in a FICCI delegation. Both the Ministers will inspect the progress on the construction of second gate of the integrated check post at Wagah. The ICDS is much delayed and even now it is not fully functional.

On 11 February, the India show was inaugurated in Lahore by Pakistan Commerce Minister which had over 400 Indian exhibitors displaying the best of Indian industry and services. Another show in Karachi is scheduled.

On 14th February, Sharma will also address the Business Conclave along with Pakistan Commerce Minister organised by Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, CII and FICCI. He will also be meeting the Chief Minister and Governor of Sindh.

On 15th February, an Inter-Ministerial delegation including Commerce Secretary, Secretary IPP, CMD ITPO, senior officers from Ministries of Home Affairs, External Affairs, Finance and Heavy Industries will be in Pakistan for bilateral talks.

The 6th SAFTA Ministerial Council meeting will be held in Islamabad on 16th February.