ISLAMABAD, Aug 9: The Pakistan India sub-groups on trade have recommended a range of measures, including removing of non-tariff barriers, relaxation in issuance of certificates of standards for increasing the bilateral trade through official channels.

The sub-groups on customs cooperation, sanitary and phyto-sanitary (SPS) measures and standards were constituted during the last meeting of the commerce secretaries of both countries held in Islamabad last year.

According to the minutes of the sub-groups, which were discussed in a recently held meeting in New Delhi showed the sub-group on customs and trade facilitation reached consensus to work towards a bilateral agreement on customs cooperation on specific bilateral issues.

Both sides agreed to constitute a custom border liaison committee at Attari Wagah border to meet once in month, electronic exchange of information and to meet six monthly intervals alternatively in India and Pakistan.

The sub-group on SPS agreed to exchange a list of 20 product of export interest to both sides by August 31, 2007 and prepare a compendium of procedures for their trade facilitation.

The non-tariff barriers associated with identified commodities or any other product would be exchanged by September 30, 2007 and the same would be resolved in the next working group meeting scheduled for November.

It was agreed to mutually extend technical assistance in capacity building and to identify the areas in which the same be extended. It was also decided that to finalise an agreement on SPS and technical barrier to trade for acceptance of each other’s inspection and certification systems. The first draft in this connection would be exchanged by December 31, 2007.

On the specific issue of testing of azo-dyes in textile products certification by a laboratory duty accredited as per international norms. Pakistan will send details of such laboratories, including the details of the accreditation body to the Indian side by August 31, 2007.

The sub-group on standards and conformance reached consensus on comments on draft MoU between BIS and PSQCA, if any would be sent by Pakistan by end August 2007. India would reciprocate with the final draft by September 30, 2007.

Both sides agreed that initially the list of products under mandatory certification in both countries would be considered for examination for trade facilitation. The information on testing facilities for each such items would be exchanged between both countries within a period of one month.

For the purpose of harmonisation of standards, it was mutually agreed that initially standards for cement might be taken as pilot project to be extended to other products of mutual interest.