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
Ten days in December, 2011
Mon, Dec 19: Arrival in Karachi, Rotary Club reception; Indian students keen to discover the real Pakistan
more
Mon, Dec 19: Arrival in Karachi, Rotary Club reception; Indian students keen to discover the real Pakistanmore
The Rotary-Aman ki Asha Youth and Family Exchange Programme
The five Indian students who were in Pakistan as part of the groundbreaking initiative Youth Exchange programme left for home yesterday, taking warm memories and rich exp
.....more
The five Indian students who were in Pakistan as part of the groundbreaking initiative Youth Exchange programme left for home yesterday, taking warm memories and rich exp
.....more
'India no more enemy country for people of Pakistan'
Yudhvir Rana, TNN
ATTARI: A group of Pakistani nationals arrived in India via Attari border on Wednesday to attend the 8th joint convention of Pakistan-India Pe .....more
Yudhvir Rana, TNNATTARI: A group of Pakistani nationals arrived in India via Attari border on Wednesday to attend the 8th joint convention of Pakistan-India Pe .....more
A key to Indo-Pak peace
The Rotary-Aman ki Asha Youth Programme has the potential to play a major role in bringing the people of India and Pakistan together, as the recent visit of Rotary-Aman k
.....more
The Rotary-Aman ki Asha Youth Programme has the potential to play a major role in bringing the people of India and Pakistan together, as the recent visit of Rotary-Aman k
.....more
The Rotary-Aman ki Asha Youth and Family Exchange Programme
The five Indian students who were in Pakistan as part of the groundbreaking initiative Youth Exchange programme left for home yesterday, taking warm memories and rich exp
.....more
The five Indian students who were in Pakistan as part of the groundbreaking initiative Youth Exchange programme left for home yesterday, taking warm memories and rich exp
.....more
Pakistan beyond the headlines
The Indian students visiting Pakistan on an exchange programme experienced home hospitality that they agreed was better than a five-star hotel
By Sidrah Roghay .....more
The Indian students visiting Pakistan on an exchange programme experienced home hospitality that they agreed was better than a five-star hotelBy Sidrah Roghay .....more
Page 76 of 174
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