‘Good sub-continental ties vital for South Asia’s economic development’
By IANSThursday, January 7, 2010
ISLAMABAD - Good sub-continental ties are vital not only for the economic development of Pakistan and India but also for the entire South Asian region, the outgoing head of the SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry said Thursday.
Delivering his farewell address at the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Tariq Saeed said that though India was emerging as a strong economy, it could never become an economic power without normalising its relations with Pakistan, Online news agency reported.
He was of the view that instead of spending billions of rupees on defence, both countries should focus on enhancing bilateral trade and investment to improve their economies and improve the living standards of their poor people.
Noting that war was no solution to sub-continental problems and all issues were finally resolved through negotiations, Saeed said that during a recent visit to India, he met 22 parliamentarians who also said that dialogue was the best option for resolving all issues between the two countries, including Kashmir.
He also pointed out that China’s exports had now reached $1,300 billion and India’s exports were at $178-billion, but Pakistan’s exports were still below $20-billion.
The reason is that China lured investment from throughout the world by making good policies and Pakistan should also develop investment friendly policies for better economic growth, Saeed pointed out.
Annisul Huq, president of Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry, will replace Saeed for the 2010-11 term.
