India, Pak positive on bilateral trade

India said on Tuesday that the first step towards expanding bilateral trade with Pakistan was to exploit the complementarities between the two economies and to remove existing bottlenecks.

"The first step is for us to exploit complementarities between our economies. In the joint study group, we have to consider positive steps that need to be taken towards expanding our trade. We have to identify bottlenecks and eliminate them," Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath said.

Inaugurating the first meeting of Indo-Pak Joint Study Group on economic cooperation, Nath said the secretary-level initiatives would further strengthen "resolve towards peace, prosperity and commitment for a better tomorrow in the subcontinent."

"Today, we find that the mood amongst our business communities is positive, with a high degree of expectation that both the governments should create an environment which would facilitate economic growth," he said.

Echoing Nath's sentiments Pakistani commerce secretary Taslim Noorani said, "We have come to India with great expectations and an open mind... The trade between the two countries has not achieved its potential. We have to try and push this further under this process."