LAHORE (APP) - Vice President SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Pakistan chapter Iftikhar Ali Malik Monday said that nearly 55 per cent of total potential for intra-regional trade in South Asia has not been exploited as it is a most unstable region in the globe. Talking to newsmen after representing Pakistan on his return from New Delhi here at Lahore Airport, he said that Indo-Pak trade ties can be improved through shared vision of thoughts and objectives, transfer of technology and exchange of Research and Development. He said that despite huge indigenous and plenty of natural resources and mineral deposits, the state of intra region trade in South Asia is highly miserable. He said that two major players of South Asia possess great economic potential and enhanced trade relations could bring them closer provided all cores issues confronting the states were settled amicably through peaceful and result oriented parleys. He said that both countries have similar socio economic needs and huge complementarities exit which badly needed to materialised through mutual co-operation for the overall welfare of the people and durable stability in the region. He said that bilateral investment is the most effective tool to create mutual stake of the India and Pakistan which he added would help defuse tension and subsequently resolve all such issues impeding the economic growth of the entire region. Quoting the Dr. Mahbub Ul Haq Human Development Centre, he said that South Asia needs to negotiate collectively at multilateral trading forums, using the regional forum of SAARC to advance its economic and social growth and enhance human development. He said that current trade negotiations have failed to address the problems faced by the region. Iftikhar Ali Malik said that Indian stakeholders were urged to exercise their sphere of influence on their government to address the all burning issues including Kashmir disputes, water conflict, war on terror besides promotion of mutual trade. High level Pak delegation led by Iftikhar Ali Malik which attended the seminar on Trade Facilitation: A Catalyst for Workable SAFTA in Mumbai, India includes immediate past president of SAARC CCI Tariq Sayeed, SAARC CCI Secretary General, Iqbal Tabish and other leading traders.