Trade and commerce ministers representing India and Pakistan will soon hold talks aimed at taking steps to remove non-tariff barriers to trade and for enhancing economic engagement between the two neighbors.

The two ministers are also likely to discuss the creation of a liberal visa regime for residents in order to boost business ties. No officials agenda has been announce, but the officials indicate that the two ministers will discuss trade issues following the notification by Pakistan of the negative list last month.

Pakistan's Commerce and Industry Minister makhdoom muhammad amin fahim and his Indian counterpart Anand Sharma will discuss opening up of new trade routes and on various aspects of trade-related issues between the countries. Mr. Sharma will host a dinner in honor of Mr. Fahim as well as the Pakistan business delegation on April 12. On the other hand, Mr. Fahim is expected to host a dinner on April 13 for Mr. Sharma.

The total bilateral trade between the two countries stood at $2.75 billion in the previous year. However, the total trade has the potential to cross the $10-billion mark in the next four years, according to the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).