Open trade helps SMEs
Emphasising the need to create more openness for commerce and trade between India and Pakistan, Sunil Munjal, chairman Hero Corporate Services, said that economic growth in the region cannot happen with mistrust between the two countries.
As his father looked on, Munjal Jr said that over the years several initiatives have been taken, be it the opening of the Wagah border or the bus service between New Delhi and Lahore. "These made a difference, but it is not enough," he said.
Stating that every constituency, be it the government or the bureaucracy has its particular brief. Hence, the need of the hour is to build people-to-people and business-to-business contacts. "It has been proven in many countries that once trade opens, you build a vested interest for peace. Governments of both countries need to encourage business contacts," he said and added it isn't the big companies but the small-and medium-sized businesses that need initiatives like Aman ki Asha to help them break trade barriers.
Speaking of the waste closed borders lead to, he cited an example on how a business in Indian Punjab wanted cotton to be imported from Pakistan's Punjab. Munjal said, "The cotton went from Pakistan's Punjab to Karachi and was routed into Indian Punjab via Mumbai. By the time the consignment arrived here the cotton season was over. I can't understand why it should take so much time when the travel time is only six hours between the two Punjabs."
Stressing that confidence building and openness should be a continuous process, he said that business cannot be done in an atmosphere of inconsistency. "We need to look beyond our nose and look long term," he added.
Rahul Kansal, chief marketing officer, The Times of India Group, said that petty bottlenecks were hampering trade between India and Pakistan. "We need to fix the immediate problem and take baby steps for tangible gains. There is a lot we can do with present rules and regulations rather than wait for political action of granting of most-favoured nation status. Trade can itself be a catalyst for change in the political climate," he said.
Courtesy: Times of India
Sunday, May 23, 2010
As his father looked on, Munjal Jr said that over the years several initiatives have been taken, be it the opening of the Wagah border or the bus service between New Delhi and Lahore. "These made a difference, but it is not enough," he said.
Stating that every constituency, be it the government or the bureaucracy has its particular brief. Hence, the need of the hour is to build people-to-people and business-to-business contacts. "It has been proven in many countries that once trade opens, you build a vested interest for peace. Governments of both countries need to encourage business contacts," he said and added it isn't the big companies but the small-and medium-sized businesses that need initiatives like Aman ki Asha to help them break trade barriers.
Speaking of the waste closed borders lead to, he cited an example on how a business in Indian Punjab wanted cotton to be imported from Pakistan's Punjab. Munjal said, "The cotton went from Pakistan's Punjab to Karachi and was routed into Indian Punjab via Mumbai. By the time the consignment arrived here the cotton season was over. I can't understand why it should take so much time when the travel time is only six hours between the two Punjabs."
Stressing that confidence building and openness should be a continuous process, he said that business cannot be done in an atmosphere of inconsistency. "We need to look beyond our nose and look long term," he added.
Rahul Kansal, chief marketing officer, The Times of India Group, said that petty bottlenecks were hampering trade between India and Pakistan. "We need to fix the immediate problem and take baby steps for tangible gains. There is a lot we can do with present rules and regulations rather than wait for political action of granting of most-favoured nation status. Trade can itself be a catalyst for change in the political climate," he said.
Courtesy: Times of India
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Mushaira held to boost Indo-Pak peace
KARACHI: The poets from Pakistan and India participated in a mushaira organized at Arts Council of Pakistan in connection with joint venture by Jang Group of Pakistan and
.....more
KARACHI: The poets from Pakistan and India participated in a mushaira organized at Arts Council of Pakistan in connection with joint venture by Jang Group of Pakistan and
.....more
Sania and family get Pakistan visa
NEW DELHI: The Pakistan High Commission in India has issued visa to Indian tennis star Sania Mirza and her family here on Tuesday.
Talking with an Indian televisio .....more
NEW DELHI: The Pakistan High Commission in India has issued visa to Indian tennis star Sania Mirza and her family here on Tuesday.Talking with an Indian televisio .....more
Shoaib Malik bowls Sania Mirza over
Marriage in mid-April; parents delighted with tennis star's choice
NEW DELHI: Indian tennis star Sania Mirza is going to marry former Pakistan cricket captain S .....more
Marriage in mid-April; parents delighted with tennis star's choiceNEW DELHI: Indian tennis star Sania Mirza is going to marry former Pakistan cricket captain S .....more
Lata's songs won't destabilise Pakistan,Faiz's poems can't break India: Ashfaq Husain
BY Shahid Husain
Ashfaq Husain is a Canadian national of Pakistani origin and is considered an authority on Faiz Ahmed Faiz. Essentially a poet who migrated from P .....more
BY Shahid HusainAshfaq Husain is a Canadian national of Pakistani origin and is considered an authority on Faiz Ahmed Faiz. Essentially a poet who migrated from P .....more
Peace with equality
By Dr Ramesh Kumar Wankwani
Every war is followed by hopes of peace. Aman ki Asha is an effort for peace that provides such a hope, that will help ease tensions an .....more
By Dr Ramesh Kumar WankwaniEvery war is followed by hopes of peace. Aman ki Asha is an effort for peace that provides such a hope, that will help ease tensions an .....more
From Pakistan with love
Tehrik-e-Niswan carried a message of peace and disarmament, laced with humour, to the first ever South Asian Women's Theatre Festival, held in India recently
more
Tehrik-e-Niswan carried a message of peace and disarmament, laced with humour, to the first ever South Asian Women's Theatre Festival, held in India recentlymore
Page 164 of 175
Special Editions
more editions
The News on Sunday Special Report: India Pakistan prisoners
We probably didn't need to do this Special Report. Newspaper stories don't matter when it comes to Indians in Pakistani jails and vice versa. In fact, 'vice versa' sums it up. We do to them what they do to us.
Except when the two countries decide to begin talking, yet again! This time a little before the foreign secretary level talks, some Pakistani prisoners were released by India (and vice versa must have happened) and some more were release....read more
Blog
more
For the past 2 years the Jang Group and Geo have been working on a project of great national interest; one that we hope will help usher in an era of peace and prosperity in the country and indeed, in the region. And one that hopefully all Pakistanis can be proud of.
The Jang Group has entered into an agreement with the Times of India Group, the largest media group of India, to campaign for peace betw
Global Media
Comments