NEW DELHI : Pakistan cannot move forward on granting the most favoured nation (MFN) status to India until the dialogue process between the two countries resumes, a Pakistani diplomat said today.
“Concerns regarding MFN were raised by stakeholders, belonging to our agriculture, pharmaceutical and auto industries saying that it will be difficult for them to compete with India as the country gives out hefty subsidies in these areas,” Minister-Trade at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, Naeem Anwar said at a PHD chamber conference.
“Although we have completed consultation process with stakeholders, we have not been able to share our concerns with the Indian side since the dialogue process is stalled. Until dialogue process resumes, we cannot move forward on MFN with India,” Anwar added.
Pakistan has already missed the December 31, 2012, deadline for phasing out its negative list regime for trade and giving MFN status to India.
“We will keep trying for MFN status from Pakistan… Elaborate customs procedures, difficult visa regimes, and restrictions on foreign investment act as hindrances on economic cooperation between the teo countries,” President of PHD Chamber of Commerce Suman Jyoti Khaitan said.
Traders belonging to the two countries also reiterated the need for a liberalised visa regime for smoother movement of businesses.
India has granted MFN status to Pakistan way back in 1996. (AGENCIES)
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