PAK business delegation winded up week-long business tour PAK business delegation winded up week-long business tour

Prior to crossing over to Muzzafarabad via 'Aman Sethu' (Peace Bridge) at Kaman post by boarding Carvan Aman Bus, the delegation had its final meeting with fruit growers and traders of North Kashmir at fruit Mundi Sopore in Baramulla.

In a brief meeting with representatives of All Valley Fruit Growers and Dealers Associations (AVFGDA) and other traders associated with frit industry here, the delegation expressed hope that cross LoC trade will boost fruit industry by exploring it in other markets of Pakistan and south Asia.

While talking to media persons after the brief meeting, Zulfikar Abassi, who leading the trade delegation from Azad Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (AKCCI), and now chairman of FJ&KCC said," It was a successful weeklong business tour we concluded today, we are indeed glad to see the love and response of traders in Jammu and Kashmir for cross LoC trade."

"We are extremely happy as business community across LoC is again reunited after whooping gap 60 years; this trade brings peace, prosperity and economic development for the people of Kashmir."

"Our main focus would be the fruit industry which has vast market in the entire subcontinent. The trade would also boost fruit industry of Kashmir by generating employments avenues. And Sopore fruit Mundi would be the hub of business actives for the trade," said Abassi in an emotional tone.

"With the onset of cross LoC, entire north Kashmir will get developed as trade route and we hope that intra-Kashmir trade will strengthen the peace process and help in resolving all issues between India and Pakistan," Abassi added.

Expressing hope that the trade would benefit both parts of Kashmir and it wouldn't be symbolic but substantive. 

Emotional fruit growers traders shouted slogans in response to the brief speech of Abbasi,   "Is par be Lange Azadi, Us par be Lange Azadi (We want freedom across LoC), Aar Par Tujarat Zinda Bad (Cross Border Trade Live Long) Aar Par Bahi Bahi (Brethren across Broader).

Abassi further said, "'More than one corer population would be associated with this trade; we hope this trade would run successfully."

"The week long visit of the AJK traders was very good," summed up chairman of Kashmir Chamber of Commerce Dr Mubeen Shah. He said that various issues pertaining to the trade between two parts on the either side of the divided line were settled. He said that "substantive" trade between the two sides will soon be a reality.

President All Valley Fruit Growers and Dealers Associations (AVFGDA), Shiekh Ghulam Mustafa said, "We are satisfied with modalities discussed between the traders of both the sides of Kashmir. However, this trade will provide new business opportunities to the fruit growers of Kashmir."

The trade between two parts of Kashmir will commence on October 21, the trade between two sides will kick-start with rolling over of fifteen trucks loaded with fruit, vegetables, handicrafts, Gabbas Namdass, and shawls from Kashmir.