July 19, 2007	Thursday	Rajab 03, 1428

ISLAMABAD, July 18: Indian High Commissioner Satyabrata Pal on Wednesday said that businessmen recommended by different chambers of commerce and industry would be provided with visas in 24 hours on urgent basis.

Mr Pal was talking to traders at the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI).

He said medical visas would also be issued immediately to Pakistanis seeking treatment in any hospital of India.

The envoy said Pakistan could export 140 million tons of cement to India annually in the wake of greater demand for the commodity.

“Nowadays India is facing shortfall of wheat and we need five million tons wheat,” he said, and added that over 60 per cent of population in both countries was linked with agriculture, so there was a lot of potential for enhancement in this field.

He said in tourism sector we could bring a lot of foreign exchange. Last year 100,000 Indian tourists visited Pakistan, he added.

According to him, both countries can overcome the energy crisis with the help of nuclear energy, which is the best way for power generation as coal energy is disaster for the environment.

Mr Pal said a large number of foreign companies were investing in India, and Pakistani investors would also be welcomed in the same manner.

The envoy said that both countries were still rural economies and improved relations between them would make the life easier for the common people.