New Delhi, Sept 15: A day after its launch, the India Pakistan CEO forum today said it has identified trade and investment, manufacturing, services and communications as the four key initiative areas for enhancing trade between the two countries. "The CEO forum is an institution-building exercise by the thought leaders of the two countries. The forum is involved in building a more positive trade scenario in the region and will act as a base camp to improve relations between the two neighbours," CII president Anand Mahindra said.
He said the forum aimed at building a congenial atmosphere to exploit the trade potential between the two countries.
Emphasising the need to restore rail and air links between India and Pakistan, Amin Hashwani, leader of the visiting Pakistan delegation and the co-chairperson of the forum said "there were technical skills on both sides that complement each other but were largely unutilized."
He, however, said the forum should also keep in mind the apprehensions of the local industries of the two countries.
Hashwani said the MNCs had failed to see India and Pakistan together as a low cost manufacturing hub and the forum would showcase the region's potential.

Bureau Report