February 15, 2006	Wednesday	Muharram 16, 1427

KARACHI, Feb 14: A delegation of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry will visit India through Khokhrapar-Munabao border to review the progress on the implementation of various trade agreements among the Saarc member states.

The KCCI sub-committee on Regional Trade in its meeting here on Monday urged the government to take the private sector into confidence before ratification of the South Asian Free Trade Agreement (Safta).

The meeting, which was also attended by the former KCCI president A Q Khalil, and vice president Muhammad Naqi Bari, decided that the industrial sector should be consulted on preparing recommendations for signing of free trade agreements with China, Malaysia and Singapore to ensure the growth in the regional trade besides, ensuring smooth operation of the local industry.

The committee noted that India and China had enhanced their trade manifold during the last couple of years, whereas Pakistan and India failed to do the same.—APP