South Asia

Mar 30, 2006

Pakistan, India remove non-tariff barriers

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan and India agreed to identify and remove non-tariff barriers (NTBs), which restrict the smooth flow of trade between the two countries.

This was decided in a meeting of the joint study group (JSG) held on March 27. The commerce secretaries of the two countries led their sides at the meeting.

The two sides also agreed to constitute two sub-working groups to identify and phase out the NTBs, like certification and cumbersome procedures in the trading regimes of the two countries.

After the meeting, Indian Commerce Secretary SN Menon told reporters that India was emphasising on trade facilitation measures at bilateral, regional and multilateral forums.

"Initiatives like computerisation and electronic data interchange have been taken up and are likely to be completed during this year," he said.

He said that phasing out of the NTBs had also been considered under the South Asia Free Trade Area (Safta) for hurdle-free trade in the region.

Mr Menon said that average tariffs in India had been reduced to 12% during the current fiscal year. Tariff on 98% products would be reduced to 10% in the next fiscal year, he added.

Pakistan's Secretary Commerce Asif Shah said that recommendations of sub-groups would be sent to the Indian government in the next six to 10 weeks for implementation.

He said that non-tariff barriers were impeding Pakistan's exports to India despite the MFN status.

A joint statement issued after the meeting announced the establishment of a working group on standards and conformance and a working group on sanitary and phyto-sanitary issues.

(PPI/Asia Pulse)

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