The Hindu : New Delhi News : Launch of a trade website put on hold

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Monday, Dec 22, 2008
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New Delhi

Launch of a trade website put on hold

Sandeep Joshi

Portal designed to help Pakistan’s exporters for better engagement with India

NEW DELHI: Mumbai terror attacks followed by Pakistan’s non-committal attitude towards the investigation process has started affecting the growing trade relations between India and Pakistan. While Union Minister of State for Commerce and Power has already cancelled his trip to Pakistan scheduled for next month, the Centre has now decided to put on hold launch of a trade website especially designed to help Pakistan’s exporters increase their engagement with India.

Designed by the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), the website was to be made public this month, but Pakistan’s anti-India attitude towards the terror probe has forced the Centre to postpone its launch indefinitely. Confirming this development, Mr. Ramesh said the Indian Government had put in special efforts to get this website prepared after requests from Pakistan’s business community.

Reiterating that trade ties between the two neighbours cannot grow in this hostile atmosphere where Pakistan’s territory was being used to launch attacks on India, Mr. Ramesh said: “Economic integration simply cannot be sustained if security concerns are denied and not addressed in a demonstrably tangible manner. Pakistan needs to act on our demands if it wants economic engagement with India to grow.”

Talking about the website, the Minister said it contains all the details regarding rules, procedures and items that would help Pakistani’s exporters to increase their trade with India. “Pakistan’s business community is at loss due to the postponement of the launch of this website,” he added.

“The current trade of balance favours us, but we want Pakistan’s exports to India to grow in order to maintain equilibrium. Now all these efforts would come to naught if Pakistan refuses to cooperate in investigations,” he added.

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