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India, Pakistan boost co-op in transport, banking, rice patents(Asia In Focus Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge)ISLAMABAD, March 30 Asia in Focus - India and Pakistan on Wednesday agreed to strengthen road and rail transport services, speed up opening of their bank branches in each other's country and constitute a working group to jointly patent Basmati rice. Separately, Pakistan said it would consider enlarging the positive list of import items from India to over 1050 from the present 773 products. * A joint statement issued at the end of three days of Commerce Secretary level talks between the two countries here said "both sides welcomed the ratification of SAFTA agreement by all SAARC member countries and expressed the confidence that it would enhance regional trade". * Both sides also agreed on a road map to reach Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) for products of their export interest, including garments, which would go a long way in redressing Pakistan's complaints about Non Tariff Barriers. SUMMARY India, Pakistan agree to boost transport services, speed opening of bank branches and jointly patent Basmati rice ASIA IN FOCUS 30-03 1257 |