World Affairs Board - View Single Post - Pak to look at open sky policy, liberal visa regime

Neo · 09-19-2005, 13:49 PM

Stressing on the need to change mindset for opening up bilateral trade, Pakistan today said it was willing to consider an open sky policy with India and easing of visa restrictions for its nationals.

At a FICCI interaction, Pakistan Commerce Minister Humanyun Akhtar Khan said his government had "no problems" in forging an open sky policy with India and would endeavour to liberalise its visa regime for businessmen and other communities.

He, however, did not give any timeframe for moving towards the open sky policy but said the two countries have set the ball rolling by deciding to relook the bilateral Civil Aviation Agreement.

Apart from working towards removing other impediments, Khan emphasised that Pakistan was committed to the January one, 2006 deadline for the South Asia Free Trade Agreement, which would remove most of the restrictions to bilateral trade including stringent tariff regime.

He also agreed to take a fresh look at the "outdated" India-Pakistan Shipping Agreement. Sharing his thoughts with Khan, Indian Commerce Minister Kamal Nath said it was time that the regional South Asian trading bloc was strengthened just as other trading blocs to cash in on globalisation.

09-19-2005, 13:49 PM	#1 (permalink)
Neo Silent lurker *Senior Contributor* Join Date: 04-06-05 Location: Amsterdam Posts: 7,920 Country:	Pak to look at open sky policy, liberal visa regime Stressing on the need to change mindset for opening up bilateral trade, Pakistan today said it was willing to consider an open sky policy with India and easing of visa restrictions for its nationals. At a FICCI interaction, Pakistan Commerce Minister Humanyun Akhtar Khan said his government had "no problems" in forging an open sky policy with India and would endeavour to liberalise its visa regime for businessmen and other communities. He, however, did not give any timeframe for moving towards the open sky policy but said the two countries have set the ball rolling by deciding to relook the bilateral Civil Aviation Agreement. Apart from working towards removing other impediments, Khan emphasised that Pakistan was committed to the January one, 2006 deadline for the South Asia Free Trade Agreement, which would remove most of the restrictions to bilateral trade including stringent tariff regime. He also agreed to take a fresh look at the "outdated" India-Pakistan Shipping Agreement. Sharing his thoughts with Khan, Indian Commerce Minister Kamal Nath said it was time that the regional South Asian trading bloc was strengthened just as other trading blocs to cash in on globalisation.