LoC trade gets a boost, worth more than 800 cr

New Delhi: The extension to trade for four days in a week and the proposal to raise infrastructure at the trade center have given businessmen in the valley much to cheer about. LoC trade is now worth more than Rs 800 crore three years since it began.

Custodian Officer, Salamabad Nazir Ahmad Baba said, "If the items are increased, the quantum of trade will increase. There are number of unemployed youth who want to join the trade. We are building up infrastructure and I am sure the trade will prosper in the coming days."

LoC trader Tariq Khan said, "If both the countries are sincere and transparent, this trade will flourish. What happens if one nation bans an item the other follows suit, there should be no tit-for-tat policy."

There are other issues, although 21 items can be traded, commerce takes place only in four items.
President, Loc-Trade, Salamabad Hameed Turki said, "There should be no limit to the number of items … items should be specifically transacted according to demand and there should be no bar."

Some of these sentiments found an echo in Delhi at the annual Indian International Trade Fair, there was interest in Pakistan's announcement on expanding trade with India even indicating a sensitive list by February next year which is more than MFN.

But the infrastructure bottlenecks and restrictive visa arrangements are issues for merchants.

While the list of items included for trade will only be finalised by February 2012, traders on both sides of the border are upbeat, not just about the fact that trade will see a boost but also that Indo Pak relationships will strengthen.

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