India-Pak should do more to fulful emotional needs of people: Expert

Mumbai, May 25 (UNI) Calling for a need to relax the rules governing export and the non-tariff barriers, a commodities expert from Pakistan today said that the Indian and Pakistani governments should do more to fulfil the emotional needs of the population in these countries.

Rais Ashraf was speaking here today at a Karachi-Mumbai Exchange Programme organised by the South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA), in which discussions were held over the growth, distinctions and functioning of the economies of Mumbai and Karachi.

''As part of trade, the Indian goods have always been available in the Pak markets and vice-versa, whether the governments allowed the trade or imposed restrictions. The traders have had their own modes of procuring goods from across the border,'' he said.

SAFMA President Imtiyaz Alam said, ''It is essential that the corporates of both the countries take initiatives and conduct researches rather than wait for the governments to start the procedure for being able to trade and fulfil the needs of both these neighbouring countries.'' ''Lobbying, if necessary, is necessary for the betterment of business and thus the economies themselves is the need of the hour,'' he added.

Amin Hashwani, President of the Pakistan-India CEO's Business Forum, said: ''The Indian businessmen lack the knowledge of the Pak markets and vice-versa. There is a need to understand the markets and the demand and supply of goods for balance of trades between the two countries.'' They all agreed that they had on offer, the goods India needed, in surplus, which could be supplied at lesser costs than other nations and vice-versa. It was through the understanding and interaction of both these countries, not only could they compliment trade but also, develop better relations in the long term.

UNI ARM SSS MSJ DB2105