May 17 , 2015
News
Traders from both sides of Kashmir meet to settle issues
ReutersLOC: Cross-border trade talks were held in Poonch District in India’s northern state of Jammu and Kashmir on Friday, after a span of one year in order to settle long-pending trade issues.
The meeting was attended by 64 traders from Jammu and Kashmir and 65 from Pakistan.
The talks, earlier scheduled for December 14 last year, were cancelled because of various issues faced by both India and Pakistan. The floods in Jammu and Kashmir, followed by parliamentary and state elections were other reasons behind the delay. Another factor which led to the delay was cross-border firing between the two countries.
The officials and traders from both India and Kashmir discussed various issues faced by the traders. The main objective of the joint meeting was to bring ease of business across the border. The trade in the border was carried on a primitive barter system, unlike the international currency system, and has been creating problems in the trading system.
“There was problem with the system because the system followed was a primitive barter system. This meeting is a medium where traders from both the sides are brought together and accounts of what has been exchanged are taken. This medium produces maximum outcome,” said Chakan Da Bagh custodian Ashraf Chowdhary.
The meeting aimed at finding solutions to the problem. “Regarding Friday’s meeting most of the issues about the barter system were cleared and solutions were reached at,” added Ashraf. The meeting was held after a date was agreed upon by the authorities from both the nations. Trade across the border has been growing in the subsequent years.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk