All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) chairman Yasin Siddique has sought removal of non-tariff barriers (NTBs) to boost bilateral trade with India. “We are in favour of promotion of trade with regional countries, especially with our neighbours to ensure peace, prosperity and economic revival,” Siddique said while speaking to visiting Indian journalists at the APTMA house.
He urged that India should open its market to Pakistani goods to normalise bilateral trade and capitalise on the potential for joint business strategies, particularly in the textile sector. Pakistan's business community had always supported granting of MFN status to India, however, the existing non-tariff barriers were hindering smooth flow of trade between the two countries. He urged India to remove NTBs to make MFN status a success.
The APTMA chairman suggested that Pakistan and India should harmonise their customs procedures for assessing in compliance with safety and quarantine standards. In this regard, special quarantine centres and laboratories should be established at border crossings, he added. He also asked Pakistani policymakers to take up the issue of non-tariff barriers with their Indian counterparts to ensure a level playing field for both sides.
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