Pakistan, India Secretary-level Talks to Focus on Trade 
'Pakistan Times' Foreign Desk

NEW DELHI (India): Pak-India secretary level talks under composite dialogue commencing on July 31 here, will focus on removing hurdles in enhancing economic and commercial cooperation between both the countries.

Deputy High Commissioner, Afrasiab while briefing the newsmen at the High Commission on Friday said the two-day fourth round of talks will also review the agenda of the previous talks held in Islamabad in March 2006.

A 12- member delegation led by Commerce Secretary Syed Asif Ali Shah will arrive here on July 30 to take part in the talks which will be followed by a meeting of joint study group on August 2. Indian Commerce Secretary J K Pillay will lead his delegation at the talks.

He said the agenda of the talks includes opening of bank branches in each other’s country, issues relating to transportation of goods and transit trade, joint registration of Basmati rice and establishing linkages between capital markets.

Facilitating businessmen regarding issuing of visas will be another item to be discussed during the talks.

Both the countries are expected to discuss holding trade exhibitions for introducing their products, he said.

Both the countries have already agreed on upgradation of trade facilities at Wagah-Attari border. Now officials of both the countries will finalise the modalities in this connection.●