Indore: The industry associations have called to cut off trade ties with Pakistan, in the wake of Pulwama terror attack.
Industries of Indore primarily import plastic items, chemicals, dyes, dry fruits, and spices among others from Pakistan.
Leading trade associations of the city have agreed to discontinue trade with Pakistan in solidarity with families of martyred CRPF personnel.
Associations of Industries Madhya Pradesh president Alok Dave said, “We held a meeting of all our members and unanimously decided to break all trade ties with Pakistan. We are not dependent on Pakistan to carry out trade.” Indian government has raised custom duty on all products imported from Pakistan to 200 per cent.
Association members said high custom duty does not wither Indian trade and there are plenty of alternative market options with India.
Indian Plast Pack Forum president Vrijesh Gandhi said, “Chinese have set up facilities in Pakistan for manufacturing packaging, pharmaceutical and medical equipment. These items come to us through Pakistan. But now all the members of the association have decided to explore new markets and completely shut trade with Pakistan.”
In protest against the terror attack, India has also withdrawn the status of ‘Most Favoured Nation’ (MFN) from Pakistan, which was allotted to them in 1996.
Industry players said the region was never dependent on imports from Pakistan and halting of trade activities will adversely hamper their economy.
They said the government should stop offering financial and economic assistance to the neighbouring country that transformed into a source to fund terror attack.
Mahesh Gupta, president, Malwa region of MP Laghu Udyod Bharti said, “We have informed all our members to boycott China and Pakistan. We should rely on our self-made goods and services. This is the time to show Pakistan that they are not worth making any ties be it financially or humanitarian.”
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com