Thaindian News

New Delhi, Sep 29 (IANS) Continuing trade diplomacy on his five-day visit to India, Pakistani Commerce Minister Amin Fahim Thursday said businessmen of both countries would soon be able to visit multiple times every year as both governments had resolved to ease trade barriers.

“The reason to come here was to improve trade relations between both countries. The few issues that I want to mention like the visa issue… will be resolved,” Fahim said while addressing a business summit organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry.

“There will soon be a visa for multiple entries for one year,” he added.

The new business visa regime would allow multiple entries and could be valid for a period up to one year. The two countries have agreed to conclude issue of liberalising business visas by this year.

The business communities of both the countries have been demanding liberalization of the visa regime and the move is likely to come as a big relief for them.

Fahim was also optimistic about the prospects of India-Pakistan trade.

“The volume of trade is not satisfactory. We have to work hard to reach $6 billion in three years, but there is also scope that we can double the value in six years,” he said.

The current trade volume between the two countries is $2.7 billion. Fahim hit a positive note while addressing the last major business engagement in the national capital.

“I am satisfied with the speed we are moving. And both sides will derive benefits from these talks.”

Pakistan Commerce Secretary Zafar Mahmood said he would be visiting New Delhi in November to work towards normalizing trade relations between the two neighbours.