Business community probing negative list for imports from India

KARACHI: In view of the frequent meetings between the ministers and commerce secretaries of the Indo-Pak to reach an agreement on Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status, the business community here has begun studies on its pros and cons for the country's trade and industry.

"Yes, we have sent the list to all our members and associations for consultation on MFN related issues," said an official concerned with Research and Development of Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) here on Friday.

He said that the proposed list has been despatched a few days back to all members.

The proposed negative list for items being imported from India include: Textile and Clothing Items, Cotton Fabric, Knitwear (Hosiery), Cotton Yarn, Bedwear, Ready Made garments, Towels, Art Silk and Synthetic Textile Made ups, Knitted Crotched Fabrics.

While agro products include fish and fish preparations, fruits including mango, kinno, guava, pomegranate, banana, apple, pear, grapes, met preparations, spices, poultry items.

The list also includes sports goods, surgical goods, machinery and transport equipment manufactured in local industry, cutlery, leather, leather garments, leather gloves, leather footwear, canvas footwear, tents and canvas, agro food, rice, molasses, mineral and metal, gems and jewelry, marble and granite, cement, furniture, handicrafts, carpets and rugs, tractors, cars, arms and ammunition, objectionable literature and books (against religious values, Pakistan ideology, or containing blasphemous material).

The list further continues with the restriction on imports of dry fruits, electric fans refrigerators, air conditioners, oven etc, soap, detergents, cosmetics, shaving blades, shampoos, toys, precious and semi precious stones, and cement.

It may also be mentioned here that a high level business delegation comprising traders and industrialists headed by Commerce Minister Makhdoom Amin Fahim visited India from September 26 to October 2 this year and Pakistan in principle agreed to give MFN status to India.

During those meetings, the counterparts agreed to lift non-tariff barriers to import goods from Pakistan.

Currently Pakistan has a list of 1,946 items that it allows imports from India.

The present illegal trade between the two neighbouring countries is to the tune of dollars 3 to 4 billion per annum via Dubai, Singapore and border areas which deprives Pakistan exchequer of a huge amount, the KCCI statistics further noted.