India-Pakistan Commerce Secretary level talks tomorrow

Islamabad, July 30 (UNI) India-Pakistan Commerce Secretary-level talks will begin in New Delhi tomorrow, to review all aspcts of bilateral, economic and trade relationship.

''The two sides will discuss development of infrastructure, harmonisation of customs procedures, new items for trade, optic fibre link, export insurance, business visa facilitation, trade in services and opening of bank branches during the talk,'' Foreign Office spokesperson Tasneem Aslam said at a news briefing here today.

On Thursday, the Joint Working Group of the two countries, will meet to focus on non-tarrif barriers and other related issues.

Ms Aslam said Pakistan wants to have access to the Indian market to increase its exports. In this connection, she said Pakistan is keen to export cement to India, which is not possible at the moment because of the conditionalities.

''The two countries should move from conflict management to conflict resolution,'' she said, adding that they should take advantage of the improved environment to start the process of conflict resolution.

''On its part Pakistan is ready to work, expedite and move quickly on various issues before the two countries,'' she said.

The spokesperson said some progress has been made with regard to CBMs but there has been hiatus in CBMs relating to Kashmir. She said there is need to move towards settlement of outstanding issues particularly the Kashmir issue that created tension in the region.

UNI