Pakistan biz women, FICCI in pact

A visiting Pakistani women's trade delegation on Friday signed an agreement with India's Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry to promote business between the arch-rivals.

The agreement was signed by Salma Ahmed, who heads Pakistan's Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Namita Gautam, president of FICCI Ladies' Organisation.

The agreement would "not only encourage women entrepreneurs to form business alliances, it would also promote trade relations between India and Pakistan," Ahmed said.

She also sought liberalisation of visa rules for Pakistani entrepreneurs.

"We plan to meet Finance Minister P Chidambaram and Commerce Minister Kamal Nath during our next visit to recommend steps for promoting economic relations," she said.

FICCI's Namita Gautam said the agreement encouraged women entrepreneurs from the two countries to enter into alliances and promote business links.

"Pakistan needs so many items in sectors like cement and steel which are available in India and we are in the process of taking permission to begin trade," she said, adding some tie-ups between the two groups had already materialised.

Trade between India and Pakistan is put at just some $200 million annually.

In March, India hosted some 300 Pakistani business leaders and a 'Made in Pakistan' trade fair in New Delhi, buoyed by peace moves launched by then Indian prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

On Thursday, the Pakistani delegation initialled a similar agreement with another Indian business grouping, the Confederation of Indian Industry.

-- AFP