Kashmir traders hail opening of truck service on Srinagar-Muzaffarabad route

Traders in Jammu and Kashmir have welcomed the resumption of trade links between India and Pakistan through Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road.

Srinagar, Oct 30 : Traders in Jammu and Kashmir have welcomed the resumption of trade links between India and Pakistan through Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road.

The traders say they are hopeful that business would be revived in the state once the link opens.

"The condition of business has been deteriorating in Kashmir for past 10-12 years. Once the trade links opens, it would revive the business and it would benefit both the state and people," said Ghulam Mustafa, a trader.

India and Pakistan decided to facilitate trade ties between the two countries by allowing free movement of goods and services, without imposing any duty on it.

A high-level business delegation is also expected to visit Srinagar to fix trade modalities.

The government of India in its effort to start Trans-border trade with Pakistan had sent a list of 14 products to Pakistan for approval, out of which the authorities had selected Kashmiri carpets, saffron, rugs, shawls, fruits, flowers, silk products for trade purposes in Pakistan.

The initiative will give a boost to India's trade not only with Pakistan but, also help the traders to explore the Central Asian market.

"Certainly trade will increase in a big way. We have a market to tap in whole of Pakistan and Central Asia, said Mubeen Shah, President, Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

India and Pakistan had decided to introduce a truck service in 2005, on the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road, nearly five months after launching the historic Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service on the same route.

ANI