印度煉油廠將對巴基斯坦銷售石油產品大綱

A new Indian oil refinery near its border with Pakistan could boost trade between the two countries through fuel sales. The South Asian rivals are hoping that stepped up trade will help the reconciliation process.

印度一家臨近巴基斯坦邊界的新煉油廠可能提升兩國之間燃料銷售的貿易關係。這兩個位於南亞的對立國家希望貿易關係的發展有助於兩國關係和諧的進程。

The $4 billion refinery near Bhatinda in India’s northern Punjab state can process nine million tons of crude oil a year. Besides meeting rising demand in India, it could also supply fuel to Pakistan.

設於印度北部旁遮普邦巴蒂納附近的這座價值40億美元的煉油廠每年能提煉900萬噸原油。它除了能應付印度國內的需求之外，還可以將燃油供應給巴基斯坦。

The refinery is 175 kilometers from the eastern Pakistani city of Lahore.

這座煉油廠距離巴基斯坦東部城市拉合爾只有175公里。

Islamabad has said it is close to removing petrol from a list of items banned for trade with India and India’s oil minister says New Delhi is prepared to export petroleum products and gasoline to Pakistan.

巴基斯坦當局曾經說過，他們即將在禁止與印度從事貿易的項目中將石油刪除。而印度的石油部長也說，他們已經準備好將石油產品和汽油外銷巴基斯坦。

Pakistan suffers from energy shortages. India imports nearly three quarters of its crude requirement, but it has huge refining capacity and can export petroleum products.

巴基斯坦蒙受缺乏能源之苦，印度進口將近本國所需求四分之三的原油， 但是印度有巨大的煉油能力可以出口石油產品。

Analyst Wilson John of the Observer Research Foundation in New Delhi says the move to open trade in fuel is part of recent efforts by the two countries to boost trade. Ties between India and Pakistan suffered a huge setback after Pakistan-based militants attacked the Indian city of Mumbai.

新德里的觀察研究基金分析師威爾遜·約翰說，這項開放燃料貿易的行動是兩國最近努力於推展貿易關係行動的一部分。自從以巴基斯坦爲基地的武裝份子2008年在孟買進行一起恐怖襲擊事件之後，印度和巴基斯坦的關係遭到大幅跌落。“Particularly after the Mumbai attack of 2008, when there was a deliberate slowdown in the composite dialogue, you seem to witness a dramatic upsurge in the last say one year," John said. "In my opinion that is a very good, positive sign.”

約翰說：“尤其經過2008年孟買襲擊事件，雙方有意遲緩各方面的對話之後，我們親眼目睹雙方貿易關係在去年中有大幅提升。我認爲那是一項良好的正面徵兆。”

A series of recent announcements have raised hopes that trade could emerge as a key driver of peace efforts between the two countries.

雙方近來一系列的聲明提高了各方對貿易關係成爲兩國和平努力主要推手的期望。

Earlier this month, India decided to lift a ban on foreign direct investment from Pakistan. Although this is unlikely to lead to an immediate rush of investment, analysts say the move improves the climate for trade.

本月早期，印度決定解除對來自巴基斯坦直接投資的禁令。雖然這個措施未必就能形成立即的投資熱潮，分析家們說，它改善了貿易條件。

The Central Bank of India and the State Bank of Pakistan are exploring the possibility of opening branches in each others' countries. The two countries are also expected to sign a liberalized visa agreement next month, making it simpler for businessmen to travel from one side to the other.

印度中央銀行和巴基斯坦國家銀行都探討在對方相互設置分行的可能性。兩國同時還預訂於下個月簽署一項放寬簽證的協定，使雙方工商界人士可以更容易往返於兩國之間。

The steps to boost trade are expected to make it easier for India and Pakistan to address their differences. Besides a disputed border, India blames Pakistan for allowing its territory to be used by Islamic militant groups to mount terror attacks in India.

推展兩國貿易關係的步驟也將使印度和巴基斯坦更容易處理雙方的歧見。目前除了兩國之間存在邊界糾紛之外，印度還指責巴基斯坦容許伊斯蘭激進組織利用它的領土進行對印度的恐怖襲擊行動。