Even as Pakistan President, Asif Ali Zardari's visit to India is looked at closely by the world, an integrated check post at Attari and Wagah border is set to be inaugurated on April 13.
It is a step, which would boost India's exports of vegetables, animals and yarn to Pakistan. With passenger and cargo terminals and adequate customs and immigration facilities, traders and officials are hopeful that opening up of the post would boost trade manifold between the countries. Home Minister P Chidambaram is expected to inaugurate the check post. Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma will also be present on the occasion. According to sources, the Pakistan commerce minister and the chief minister of Pakistan's Punjab province would inaugurate their side of the check post.u00a0
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“The opening of the modern ICP (Integrated Check Post) would boost trade manifold between the countries. More and more trucks would now cross the borders,” FICCI Secretary General Rajiv Kumar said. Federation of Indian Export Organizations President Rafeeq Ahmed said that traders of both the sides were eagerly waiting for opening up of this post. “This would be the nodal point. It would reduce transportation time and cost to both exporters and importers. Both sides will benefit from this post,” he said.
According to an official, on an average, 200 trucks laden with Indian merchandise cross the Wagah border daily at present. Pakistan has recently notified a list of 137 items, which can be imported from India through the land ro1ute. The list includes vegetables as well as animals. Chidambaram had laid the foundation stone of the project in February 2010. u00a0
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