India to Give Duty-free Access to 75 Products from Pakistan

Indian government will not object to EU decision to allow duty free access to 75 products from Pakistan under World Trade Organisation (WTO) regime. The foreign, commerce and ministries of Pakistan pursued this matter at the government level said Dr Mirza Ikhtiar Baig, Federal Advisor on Textile. He said the matter was taken up with Dr Rajiv Kumar, Secretary General, Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry who assured he would take up with matter with Indian Prime Minister. He said Indian PM Manmohan Singh has agreed to withdraw their objection at WTO, in the forthcoming meeting in October 2011.

The formal announcement is expected at the forthcoming Commerce Ministers meeting in Delhi on September 28 and 29, 2011. He called it a significant measure for confidence building to improve bilateral relation between the two countries. "This step will pave the way for the duty free export of 65 textile products to EU and will boost our EU export about $300 million per annum," he said.