SAARC CCI seeks Indo-Pak liberal visa regime
Monday, July 30, 2012 - New Delhi—The SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry has written to Indian Home Minister P Chidambaram seeking relaxation of visa norms between India and Pakistan to encourage trade and investments between the countries.
In a letter to Chidambaram, SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Vikramjit Sahney said the present SAARC visa exemption scheme (SVES) is “extremely restrictive” on the movement of Indian and Pakistani businessmen.
South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) members are - Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Pakistan.
“Visa liberalisation between India and Pakistan are important to boost trade and investment between the countries. Already both the sides have taken so many steps to boost economic ties,” Sahney said.
He suggested there should be no police reporting for people over the age of 70 years for visas.
He said the recent developments between the governments of India and Pakistan have given clear indication of the desire to enhance business relations and larger people-to-people contacts, especially the business community.
“Unfortunately, the present SVES is extremely restrictive on the movement of the Indian and Pakistani businessmen...,” Sahney added. In May, India and Pakistan had failed to ink the much-anticipated liberalised visa regime and merely agreed to do it an early date after Islamabad insisted on political participation.
He also asked Chidambaram to consider the chamber’s proposal to increase visa from 100 to 500 for businessmen from each SAARC member country for one year.—INP
In a letter to Chidambaram, SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Vikramjit Sahney said the present SAARC visa exemption scheme (SVES) is “extremely restrictive” on the movement of Indian and Pakistani businessmen.
South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) members are - Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Pakistan.
“Visa liberalisation between India and Pakistan are important to boost trade and investment between the countries. Already both the sides have taken so many steps to boost economic ties,” Sahney said.
He suggested there should be no police reporting for people over the age of 70 years for visas.
He said the recent developments between the governments of India and Pakistan have given clear indication of the desire to enhance business relations and larger people-to-people contacts, especially the business community.
“Unfortunately, the present SVES is extremely restrictive on the movement of the Indian and Pakistani businessmen...,” Sahney added. In May, India and Pakistan had failed to ink the much-anticipated liberalised visa regime and merely agreed to do it an early date after Islamabad insisted on political participation.
He also asked Chidambaram to consider the chamber’s proposal to increase visa from 100 to 500 for businessmen from each SAARC member country for one year.—INP
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