Srinagar, July 11: Amid curfew and stringent restrictions, trade worth Rs 6.97 crore was conducted between two Kashmirs across LoC this week. 
 While goods worth Rs 2.69 crore were exported from the Trade Facilitation Centre Salamabad, Uri, consignments valuing Rs 4.28 crore were imported from the Chakoti Trade Centre, PaK.
 Trade Facilitation Officer at Salamabad, Muhammad Ashraf Wani, told Greater Kashmir that in view of the prevailing situation, trucks laden with goods had to reach the TFC Salamabad a day before the stipulated day “in order to make the trade run smoothly.”
 “Since there was no curfew or shutdown in the Valley on the last Sunday, traders sent their trucks to the TFC on that day itself, which otherwise they do on Monday every week,” he said.
 Giving details, he said 5192 quintal goods were exported in 73 trucks to PaK this week. The major items were chilies and coconut. Meanwhile, 70 trucks were received from PaK that were laden with 1163 quintals of dry fruits and 62 carpet rolls.
 Wani said the traders were quite dejected over the ban on the trade of various items by the government, including Ajawain (a herb), garlic and ginger, which, he said, had a huge demand in the Valley and thus fetched them good returns.
 “They are continuing this trade only because their money is withheld on the other side,” he said.
 Meanwhile, he said, the Trade Facilitation Officer Chakoti has conveyed to them that there shall be no trade across the LoC next week on account of Martyrs’ Day on July 13, to which Valley traders have agreed.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 11 Jul 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 11 Jul 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 12 Jul 2010 00:00:00 IST