Indian business houses seek free trade with Pak via Attari

AMRITSAR: In spite of the growing tension between India and Pakistan over the recent unrest in Kashmir, business houses here have demanded from the Union government to start free trade between the two nations via Attari border and see how economic ties could bring change in the region.

"Attari, the gateway to Pakistan, is just a little over 30 kilometres from Amritsar, and can be the India's busiest port if governments of both the nations allow free trade across the border," said Khanna Paper Mills director Suneet Kochhar while talking to TOI on Friday.

For the first time in 2012, Khanna Paper Mills, which annually produces 3,30,000 tonnes of writing paper, newsprint and paperboard, had exported newsprint to Pakistan via Attari. However, the business came to a halt owing to various bottlenecks and business intermediaries in Pakistan who had their vested interests, he said.

Kochhar opined that the Indian government should suggest doing free trade with Pakistani counterparts via Attari border since trade can bring peace and prosperity in the region.

"We have major industrial houses in Punjab which can find a bigger market and Pakistan will get international-level products at much cheaper cost as compared to goods imported by it from other countries," said Kochhar.

Citing an example, Sonalika Tractors vice-chairman Amrit Sagar Mittal said an Indian tractor costs around Rs 7 to 8 lakh whereas in Pakistan a tractor costs anything between Rs 25 to 30 lakh. "Free trade is a mutual benefit to the people of both nations, and this is the apt time to discuss it to ease the mounting tension between the two countries," said Mittal.

Kochhar, who is also chairman of the Punjab chapter of the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham), said their guild had submitted various suggestions to the Centre for free trade between India and Pakistan and was hopeful that the issue would be taken up during secretary-level meeting among the two countries.

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