Potential for petroleum products trade with India: Pakistan minister.

Islamabad: Petroleum Minister Asim Hussain on Monday said there is a potential for trade in petroleum products between India and Pakistan, which is interested in importing furnace oil and diesel from the neighbouring country.

Initiation of talks in this sector will prove to be a step in the right direction, Hussain said during a meeting with an Indian delegation that is visiting Pakistan to discuss trade in petroleum products.

He informed the delegation regarding progress in the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India pipeline project.

The Indian delegation was led by P Kalyanasundaram, Director (international cooperation and corporate affairs) in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.

Pakistan's Petroleum Secretary Muhammad Ejaz Chaudhry said the dialogue between the two sides will provide an opportunity for Indian businessmen to explore potential areas for trade with Pakistan.

The two-day talks will focus on identification of products, specifications, volumes, supply sources and transportation mechanism for trade between the two countries.

The Indian delegation includes business representatives from leading firms like Petroleum Federation of India, IOCL, BPCL, HPCL, Reliance Industries and Essar Oil.

The Pakistani delegation is headed by Shabbir Ahmed, Joint Secretary (international and joint ventures) in the Petroleum Ministry and its members include representatives of the Commerce, Foreign and Finance Ministries, Federal Board of Revenue, Pakistan State Oil and Attock Refinery Limited.

Source : ibnlive.in.com