Gilani expresses hope for mutual trade with India

Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani on Monday expressed hope that India will take measures for mutual trade, saying that the well-being Indians and Pakistanis depended on the normalization of ties.

Speaking to the 2^nd Economic Conference, organized by Jang Groups and Times of India, in Lahore, the prime minister observed, “The engine of economic growth is not fueled by regional tensions and conflicts and that it needs peace and an enabling environment”.

Gilani stated that improving ties with India was Pakistan’s policy and both the neighboring states would have to learn lessons from history.

He asserted that illiteracy and poverty must not destiny of people of Pakistan and India, saying that non-state elements were common enemies of both the countries.

The inaugural session of the two-day economic conference was attended by industrialists, entrepreneurs and traders from both countries.

The premier said the participation from the two sides shows the commitment of the private sector to develop trade relations between Pakistan and India.  He expressed satisfaction over the business communities of two countries who are exploring vistas of economic cooperation.

In his view, the stable business relations between the two countries had great potential for a bright future. He observed, “This is a region, where more than one-fifth of the world population resides and which is fast becoming one of the key drivers of the global economy”.

The prime minister was of the opinion that the presence of the business community underlined the need of peace and normalization of relations between Pakistan and India.

At a time when tensions ran high between the two neighboring states, the economic conference pushed forward the peace agenda and that of economic cooperation.

Gilani while recalling the first economic conference in December 2009 said that he had extended solid support to the idea of peace and people-to-people contact.

He asserted, “Notwithstanding the ups and downs in our bilateral relations, our support to the cause of peace and normalization of relations with India has remained steadfast. This is because trade between our countries is to our best advantage”.

The prime minister said that Pakistan’s closest friend and strategic partner, China, was also in favor of our normalization of ties with India.

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Posted by Faisal Farooq on May 7 2012. Filed under Latest News, National, Pakistan. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.