by Punjabnewswire4u
LAHORE/CHANDIGARH, NOV 6
The Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh
Badal today turned a major leaf in the history Indo-Pak relations by agreeing
to the proposal of Eastern Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Shahbaz Sharif for
constituting Joint Business Committee of both countries. He announced the first
meeting of Committee constituting politicians, industrialists, Traders,
Progressive Farmers besides experts at Amritsar
in the first week of December. Accepting the request of Punjab Deputy Chief
Minister Mr. Badal, Eastern Punjab Chief
Minister Mr. Sharif consented to be the Chief Guest in the Joint Business Committee,
when he would come to be the Chief Guest in the finals of third edition of
World Kabaddi Cup.
Addressing the Pakistan-India Business
Round Table organized by Pakistan Board of Investment and Trade, where top
industrialists of both the countries shared their points, Mr. Badal said that
economics is the name of the game in the 21st century and economics
can expedite strengthening of ties between India
and Pakistan.
He said that ‘Past is Past’ and India
had been through the learning curve and over the years it has opened its
economy to Foreign Direct Investment. He said that world is becoming very small
and every country is leaving behind politics in building economic relationship.
He cited the example of Western Europe and unification of two Germany. Mr.
Badal said that we have emotional relationship with Pakistan and time has come that we
should build upon our strength to further enhance commerce and trade. He said
that time has come that now Indian companies were taking over MNCs giants. He
gave the example of Tata taking over Jaguar-Range Rover, a British Companies,
whereas Mittal’s taking over steel giant Arceler.
Speaking about Indian Punjab Mr. Badal
said that Punjab with 1.5 % geographical area
of the country had been contributing 50 to 60% to national grain pool and
Punjabis have exploited every available inch of the land. He said that after
excelling in Agriculture, we are focusing on industrial development and we feel
that by improving industrial and trade relations with Pak, Punjab’s
industry could benefit a lot.
Describing opening up of Wagah as
‘Turning Point’ in the history of both countries, Mr. Badal said that both
countries were hopeful that by December 31st, negative list would be
eliminated or drastically reduced, opening new vistas of trade and commerce
between both countries. He said that we have to prepare ourselves for quantum
leap in the trade by strengthening infrastructure and logistics at the check
posts on both sides so that there was no delay or bottlenecks in import and
export of goods. He advocated adopting most scientific logistic system for
speedy movement of goods and sought the cooperation of chambers in streamlining
the goods clearance procedure.
Seeking the opening of Hussaniwala and
Fazilka Border, Mr. Badal said that we should open more borders for equitable
dispersal of business opportunities in all regions of Punjab.
He said that we should learn from history by not importing through Dubai and Singapore
route but through Wagah only.
Stressing the need for Visa clearance
centers at Amritsar and Lahore, Mr. Badal said that both state
governments should emphasise their federal governments to take positive steps
in this direction.
Emphasising the need for strengthening
dairy industry, Mr. Badal said that we should also request federal governments
to allow import of Neeli Ravi breed of buffalos to Punjab
as it could help in growth of dairy industry. He also stressed the need for
strengthening sports and cultural ties between both countries.
Raising the issue of Medical Tourism,
Mr. Badal said that patients visiting India
for treatment should be allowed Visa of Amritsar instead of Delhi
as Punjab has a strong network of specialty
hospitals.
Sharing the sentiments of Punjab
Deputy Chief Minister, Mr. Shahbaz Sharif, Chief Minister of Eastern
Punjab, said that we don’t have any time to waste on
technicalities. Let us pursued our federal government to move at lightning
speed so that opportunity that has been offered to us by the history do not
slip away. Urging for speedy decision making, Mr. Sharif said that time and tide
do not wait for none.
On an emotional note, Mr. Sharif said
that history has parted two brothers and history has made us neighbours and let
us vow today that let us become friendly neigbours. He said that time has
become to burry the hatchet and move forward to emerge as ‘Collective Economic
Force’.
Suggesting constituting of Joint
Business Committee in which besides political leaders, industrialists, traders,
bureaucrats, agriculturists and experts as members to draw out a blueprint for
improving trade and commerce ties to which Punjab Deputy Chief Minister was
readily agreed. He announced that first meeting of the Joint Business Committee
would be held in Amritsar
in December 2012, where Chief Minister of Eastern Punjab Mr. Shahbaz Sharif
would be the chief guest.
Proposing a setting-up of a joint
industrial zone on Indo-Pak border, Mr. Sharif said that the joint business Committee
should also explore the possibility of this Committee, in which industrial
houses of both countries could set up their units.
Reiterating the need for adopting
practical and earnest approach leaving behind the ghost of history, Mr. Sharif
said that we should not become hostage to the criticism of opposition and take
forward India-Pak trade relations to such a level from where no elected
government in future could dare to retrace the steps.
Appreciating the agriculture progress
of Western Punjab Mr. Sharif ask his ministers and bureaucracy to study the
model of free power to Agriculture sector adopted by Punjab Chief Minister Mr.
Parkash Singh Badal and replicate the same free power to the Eastern Punjab to
help the beleaguered peasantry.
Besides
prominent Cabinet members of Eastern and Western Punjab, leading giants of
Industrial houses from both Punjab shared their
experiences and reiterated their commitments to collectively work for improving
trade and commerce ties.
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