India is very much monitoring as to whether Pakistan matches its obligations under the South Asia Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA).
Jairam Ramesh Minister of State for Commerce today said, the triumph of Safta would depend on Pakistan doing away with the “positive list” limitations on movement of produce from India.
It will be an analysis of Pakistan's assurances to the accord it unlocks at Wagah on 1 July 2006.
The moment they open up, India's competitiveness in items like tea will be upbeat.
India is investing Rs 15-20 crore in developing infrastructure at Petrapol (for Bangladesh), Raxaul (for Nepal) and Atari (for Pakistan) in order to kick start the accord and boost trade.
The minister said key changes has been completed in policies prevailing the market and infrastructure backing plans for Indian exporters to help backward states like Bihar, Uttaranchal, Himachal Pradesh, Orissa and Chhattisgarh.
'Two-third assistance under government-funded schemes like Assistance to States for Infrastructure Development (ASIDE), Market Development Assistance (MDA) and Market Access Initiative (MAI) goes to Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu', he said.
Although these plans are achievement-based, however the commerce ministry has determined that the criteria will be distorted from performance to employment generation, the minister told.
The ministry has impressed these backward states to draw closer with feasible projects to fructify the benefits.
Centre will also discharge Rs 50 crore to Rs 75 crore for endorsing agro export regions.
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