24 September 2008

1. India, Uzbekistan resolve to step up bilateral trade
1. Bilateral Trade between these countries in first half of year is $40 million
2. The sources said the bilateral trade turnover grew by 8 per cent in 2007 at $64.4 million, with exports from Uzbekistan to India at $9.5 million and exports from India at $54.9 million.
3. he efforts should continue for investment cooperation in processed food and agricultural products, information technology, petrochemicals, fertilisers, ferrous and non-ferrous metals and it also agreed to explore possibilities and facilitate investments in these sectors through mutual consultations.
4. The Commission also noted the possibilities to set up joint ventures in the area of gas-based petrochemicals and fertilisers in Uzbekistan.
2. India Pakistan to announce cross LoC trade
1. When Prime Minister Manmohan Singh meets Pakistan president Asif Ali Zardari on the sidelines of the United Nation General Assembly, they will have at least one substantive announcement to make on cross LoC trade. The two leaders are likely to announce the date for the beginning of trade across the border at two crossing points—the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad route and the Poonch-Rawalkot route—when they meet in New York .
2. The joint working group on cross LoC CBMs, which met in New Delhi, finalised the modalities for cross-border trade bringing to an end a negotiations that started in 2005. The initiative is aimed specifically at resurrecting trade between Kashmir and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
3. Today India and Pakistan prepared sensitive list of items to be traded between Pakistan occupied Kashmir and Indian Kashmir. Items are not disclosed yet.
4. All the goods which were manufactured or grown in and around the areas will have a zero tariff.
5. Both countries are working out modalities for infrastructure development between the areas, such as checkpost, widening of roads etc. CBM will hold good only when Pakistan bounds and accept for non firing across LOC. Don’t forget recently Pakistan opened fire across LOC several times.
6.  Cross border trade will occur in two areas:

                                                               i.      Srinagar – muzzafarabad

                                                              ii.      Poonch – Rawalkot Routes