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Restoration of communication and transport links between India and Pakistan and liberalising visa norms for the businessmen from the two countries are among the suggestions made by the India-Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry in a memorandum, released in New Delhi on Tuesday.
A C Muthaih, president, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry and Ilyas Ahmed Bilour, chief, India Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry, signed the joint memorandum.
Earlier, a copy of the document was presented to Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
"Visas to businessmen from India and Pakistan should be allowed freely for visit to the respective countries on the recommendations of Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry and FICCI," the memorandum says, adding such visas should be valid for at least one year and allow travel to all cities of the two countries.
Besides, it proposed the expansion of bilateral trade to all items other than those notified in the negative list between the two neighbours.
Stressing the need for efficient and cost effective transportation as a pre-requisite for promoting trade, the memorandum said, "There is an immediate need for the restoration or introduction of rail, air, sea and road links between India and Pakistan".
It said regional trade blocs are an effective tool for enhancing competitive strength in the sale of goods and services globally while asking both the countries to work towards making SAARC more effective.