CM for easing of visa norms with Central Asian countries
Thursday, 18/10/2012
http://epaper.dailypostindia.com/Details.aspx?id=52897&boxid=58159&uid=&dat=2012-10-18
Chandigarh : Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Wednesday impressed upon the Union Ministry of External Affairs to take up the matter with their counterparts in Central Asian countries for relaxation in visa norms to promote trade and commercial activity amongst these nations in a big way.
Addressing a galaxy of eminent scholars, academicians, intellectuals and political thinkers during the three-day national seminar on ‘India and Central Asia: Perspectives on Bilateral and Regional Co-operation’ organised by the Centre for Research in Rural and Industrial Development (CRRID) in collaboration with Centre of Central Asian Studies (CCAS) University of Kashmir here, the Chief Minister underscored the need to promote trade amongst India and Central Asian countries as a top priority as it would immensely benefit Punjab being a border state in heralding a new era of economic co-operation and partnership in the region besides giving a fillip to the all-round development of the state.
Pleading for relaxation of visa norms between India and these countries, Badal said that it was a basic factor for promotion of bilateral trade because stringent rules, regulations and procedures further complicate matters both for tourism and trade between the countries. Likewise, he also stressed the need for interaction between the governments of these countries and the Indian government for improving the security scenario for prospective investors adding that the issue of legal security for investments and for guarantees for long-term ownership rights, especially in lands also needs to be addressed.
The CM said that at present, there was a plethora of problems regarding permission of trade with private entrepreneurs from these countries, which also needs to be resolved at the earliest.
He further stated that Punjab, being a land locked state, was left with only option of opening land route with these countries to propel the economic and commercial growth, which was the need of the hour.
