NEW DELHI, Aug 29: India on Friday announced three major initiatives to boost trade between New Delhi and Islamabad, including setting up of India-Pakistan trade website, launching an India-Pakistan CEO’s Business Forum and holding of a “Made in Pakistan” products exhibition.

The three initiatives were proposed by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) seeking approval of the government of India, disclosed External Affairs Ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna here at a press briefing, adding concurrence has been conveyed to the CII.

Later the CII said these steps were taken in the backdrop of the recent initiatives of the government to foster better ties and rope in tremendous unexplored economic potential between the two countries to accelerate mutual business and trade relations.

CII president Anand Mahindra in a press release said that these three initiatives would go a long way in facilitating the development of “soft infrastructure” that was so essential for business and trade ties.

“We, in CII are encouraged that the government of India has welcomed our three new initiatives to facilitate the business ties between India and Pakistan, added Mr Mahindra.

Unveiling the details of the initiatives, the release said, based on the successful model of existing joint CEO’s forums operated by the CII with different countries, the Confederation will launch a “India-Pakistan CEO’s Business Forum” in partnership with the Young Persons Organization (YPO).

With an aim to meet every six months, the Business Forum will have 15 CEOs from either country and is likely to hold its first meeting in September in New Delhi, added the release.

The forum had several advantages that include enhancing networking opportunities, facilitate relationship building, engagement and information sharing, improve discussions on a policy and procedures and increase trade and investment promotion, the release maintained.

Under the aegis of the India-Pakistan (Chief Executive Officers) CEO’s Business Forum, the CII plans to launch a website that aims at facilitating bilateral trade and investment. It will provide information updates on the state of the economy of the two countries, bilateral trade statistics, business opportunities and business events.—APP