Has Pakistan exploited all other avenues to bump ups its economy and growth rate? Have we optimized trade between all other possible potential client countries of the world? What about Russia? What about China, What about US and the EU? what about Far East and Middle East. Kya ley dey ke Bharat hi reh gaya hey??? And most importantly have we every given the conglomerate of the ECO a fair chance to blossom?
Trade with India might cause a transitory levitation but in the long run Pakistan will be the looser and India will benefit much. While people argue that the 10 times bigger size/population of India will benefit us. And if India sells us 10 products and we sell India only 2 even then Pakistan will be the bigger beneficiary. This assumption is a farce. Even if one shrugs off the security hazards that will accompany from trade with India, Pakistani product will never ever be able to compete in the Indian market due to the fact that the manufacturing costs involved in Pakistan are too high for competition.
The secret lies in facilitation to the manufacturers, and subsidiaries to the agriculture sector. China and India are doing this coupled with many other countries. The returns in the shape of forex will supersede the cost of subsidization. Energy is our main problem, if the many unexploited wells at Sui are used we wont even require Iranian gas. (Only 1 of those 3 virgin wells have over 100 years of gas according to conservation calculations). Either projects need funding from an international financial institution and serious management. By achieving this we can support our manufacturers in real terms.
A partially closed economy is the dire need of Pakistan, not an open economy, whose width can be compared to that of the German Autobahn. Pakistanis must be forced to use Pakistani goods. Import policy need severe redressing to create semblance between import/export ratios. Why does our import policy allow import of luxury cars and Kellog cornflakes and a horde of other items that we just don't need? While it is true that the wretched WTO does come into play but it can be dealt with provided government shows sincerity.
The case of Pakistan exploiting Indian market is that of being ready for the opportunity. We are not ready, hence this opportunity is not for us to gloat about. Unfortunately Pakistan planners have debauched honesty and national pride by the prospect of easy money.
Can some one compile a list of items that both countries are looking to export to each other?
yar i want to know why all the pakistanis i have met/chatted on PDF or elsewhere all hates India and Indians can you tell me.
---------- Post added at 10:16 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:14 PM ----------
the govts. can appoint people to lead trade delegations and trade-councils on both sides....it should comprise of technocrats, business risk analysts, consultants, etc. in different fields
i guess education, health, textiles and IT fields are ones which could be jointly dealt with....that will require more lax visa regulations on both sides, so while the government should keep its nose and fingerprint away from any cooperation involved, their initial approval would have to take root
but we should not forget agriculture