Srinagar, Apr 9: Kashmir traders have welcomed State Assembly’s recent “unanimous plea” to governments of India and Pakistan for strengthening and expanding the cross-LoC trade.
 President, Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), Abdul Hamid Punjabi said the initiative by the lawmakers of the state was “welcome”.
 “It is opportune time to raise this issue as India and Pakistan are seemingly coming closer on many issues,” Punjabi said, adding that the KCCI had many a time demanded expansion in the list of tradable items and trading days for LoC trade.
 “We appeal both the countries to show flexibility and remove obstacles hindering the trans-LoC trade,” he said, adding that there was a dire necessity for banking facilities without which it has become a barter trade.
 President, Federation of Chamber of Industry Kashmir (FCIK), Zahoor Ahmad said: “This is a good initiative. Both governments should increase the number of tradable items and focus on developing the infrastructure.”
 Echoing same views, Chairman Kashmir Economic Alliance (KEA), Muhammad Yaseen Khan said: “It is a positive step and is in line with our long pending demand,”
 Khan appealed to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Asif Ali Zardari to “reform the cross LoC trade for the betterment of beleaguered economy of the state.”

Lastupdate on : Mon, 9 Apr 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 9 Apr 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 10 Apr 2012 00:00:00 IST