New trade gate opens at Wagah border

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New trade gate opens at Wagah border

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New trade gate equipped with modern facilities was inaugurated at Wagah border on Friday.

13 April,2012 10:50 pm

Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, who was accompanied by Commerce Minister Makhdoom Amin Fahim and other dignitaries from Pakistan, inaugurated the new trade gate.Indian Home Minister P Chidambaram along with Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma, and Indian Punjab Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal opened their Integrated Check Post (ICP) from the other side to the divide.Talking to media after opening the new trade route, Shahbaz Sharif welcomed the initiative taken by both the neighbor countries to boost bilateral trade.Analysts said it will be a boon to normalize bilateral commerce, which is expected to grow after Pakistan removed restrictions on imports from India last month, shifting trade from positive to negative list regime.According to India media, this is first-of-its-kind Integrated Check Post (ICP).ICP comprising 118-acre passenger terminal, manned by immigration staff is equipped with 16 baggage X-ray scanners. It also has 4,700 square metre cargo handling facility and 55,000 sqm parking space. With help of 230 close-circuit TVs, area will be guarded by Indian Border Security Force, officials said.Excepting about 1200 items, Pakistan now allows import of all other Indian goods even as only about 135 items are allowed through land route.